Kerrie, of Rutherford, did her tax online last year and found it pretty easy so decided to do it again this year but hit a stumbling block.

Then out of the blue she was offered help by a “tax consultant” who contacted her by phone. She took Kerrie’s particulars including tax file number, bank account details and 100 points of identification. “She started with my deductions and then came up with a return figure of $1200,” Kerrie said.

She later received an email saying her return had been lodged and the money would be in her bank within two weeks. “I waited and waited and after two weeks nothing. I went through my emails and noticed they had sent me an invoice for $219 for their services and it had to be paid before they released my return,” she said.

The bill was paid by deposit on October 26. Now, more than two weeks on, she still hasn’t received her return. Kerrie tried to call and email the Perth-based accounting firm QuickTax Personal and Business Tax Returns but to no avail.

Fairfax Media also attempted to contact the business and what appears to be its parent company Nicoh. There was no response to our emails, the 1300 number said it was owned by 1300 Australia and the company’s social media accounts were closed or inactive since late September.

“The email says the business will get back to me within 24-hours and the phone goes straight to message bank,” Kerrie said. “I’m $1500 out of pocket.”

Kerrie has contacted the Australian Tax Office – a spokesperson confirmed her return was processed and the money credited to the accounting firm’s bank account.