Small-business owner Scott Volner from Rolla, Missouri, found himself in a financial nightmare after falling victim to a scam related to pandemic relief funds. When the pandemic hit, Volner worked tirelessly to keep his employees on the payroll despite a drop in revenue. However, he was soon bombarded by telemarketers claiming to be tax service specialists offering him a special IRS pandemic relief credit.
Volner, eager to help his business, signed up with a company that promised to handle all the paperwork for him in exchange for a 10% fee. He ended up receiving a check for $330,000, which he reinvested back into his business. Unfortunately, it was later revealed that he did not qualify for the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERC) due to specific criteria, including mandatory shutdowns in the state.
Now, Volner is facing the daunting task of repaying the money he had already spent. He expressed his frustration, stating, “It’s going to be a long, hard road to tow to get this all paid back.” The IRS has acknowledged that the ERC program has been a magnet for unscrupulous promoters, resulting in billions of dollars in fraudulent claims.
As the IRS scrambles to address the issue and recover funds, Volner and many others like him are left grappling with the consequences of falling prey to fraudulent schemes. The story of Scott Volner serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of misinformation and exploitation during times of crisis.