Accountants Aren’t Accountable For Your Legal (Or Domestic) Problems
I work as a tax preparer. A client calls in on our phone line.
Client: “Hello. I’ve got a problem. My ex-girlfriend’s got my emerald card, she’s got my email address, she’s got my [Tax Prep Company] account, and she’s got my phone, so I can’t access anything. How can I tell when I get my refund?”
An emerald card is a substitute for a bank account that allows underbanked individuals to get their refund by direct deposit.
Me: “If you’ve got your ID, we can issue you a fresh emerald card, and the refund will go there.”
Client: “She’s got that, too.”
Me: “May I ask what happened? Did she steal them from you, or…?”
Client: “She kicked me out of the apartment, and they got left behind. I’m kinda homeless right now.”
Me: “You might want to contact the police. They can help you recover your belongings.”
Client: “Oh, no, I can’t do that.”
Me: “Um… why not?”
Client: “There’s a warrant out for my arrest.”
Me: “Ah.”
Client: “So, is there anything you can do to help me?”
Me: “Do you have any documents to verify your identity?”
Client: “What does that mean?”
Me: “Like… ID cards, passports, birth certificates, social security cards, that sort of thing.”
Client: “No, they’re all in the apartment.”
Me: “Unfortunately, then, there’s very little I can do for you. I’m sorry.”
Client: “Nah, I kinda figured, but it didn’t hurt to ask. You’re not gonna tell the cops I called, are you?”
Me: “No, I won’t.”
Client: “Thanks. You have a nice day!”
Me: “You, too.”
And he hung up.
