Business Profile
Unclaimed Funds Retrieval Services
Payne Richards & Associates
Complaints
This profile includes complaints for Payne Richards & Associates's headquarters and its corporate-owned locations. To view all corporate locations, see
Customer Complaints Summary
- 21 total complaints in the last 3 years.
- 10 complaints closed in the last 12 months.
If you've experienced an issue
Submit a ComplaintThe complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.
Initial Complaint
Date:06/24/2024
Type:Status:ResolvedMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
I received a letter stating they had located over $4000 in my name.I contacted my state unclaimed funds office, provided the property ID, and was told the actual amount is $14.They explained this information is shared with 3rd parties in an Excel format and mistakes of this type are very common.
Business Response
Date: 06/24/2024
Unfortunately that is correct. The files we received are shared by the MA ***************************** and they are not always correct. Your complaint should be addressed to the State and not our firm as we are releasing the information as it is provided to us by a government agency. This is something that our company has no control over, we try our best to catch and verify any discrepancies before filing the claim.Initial Complaint
Date:03/13/2024
Type:Status:ResolvedMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
I received this letter in the mail about a lawsuit. It said they had been trying to reach me. I hadn't heard anything. I have spent 43 days this year in the hospital partially in a coma and my son and Mother were taking care of my finances. I thought it was possible so I called the number that was given. Come to find out it's free on the government website. I have attached the letter and form they sent to me.Business Response
Date: 03/13/2024
Our service is definitely optional, we are here for those individuals not aware of the existence of the funds or need our guidance and expertise in the field. You may simply disregard the notice or contact our office to be removed from our system.Customer Answer
Date: 03/14/2024
Better Business Bureau:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.Initial Complaint
Date:02/06/2024
Type:Status:ResolvedMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
So I was told to file this do this do that and bam I did everything to the t correctly that you guys asked of me and for me to just be left in dark told it will take up to 6 months never thinking it would literally take the whole 6 mothers and still have not seen anything or heard anything from anyone of your team members so not happy not pleased or satisfied and very lividBusiness Response
Date: 02/07/2024
According to our records, the payment regarding your claim was recently issued. You were advised of the processing time even prior to initiating the claim, this was clearly stated on our initial notification to you. Such processing time is completely out of our control as it is a government procedure. Please reach out to us directly if your check is not received in the next **** business days.Initial Complaint
Date:01/31/2024
Type:Status:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
This company contacted my husband via email and says he ELECTRONICALLY signed something in 10/2022. More than a year later, I (an attorney) went through the government's website directly and filed my claim through the website. They are now claiming that "their" claim ID was used and that we owe them 10%. I am already my husband's representative payee through SSA as he is not capable of managing his own affairs. He does not recall ELECTRONICALLY signing anything or ever speaking to this company. This company is a 100% scam trying to collect 10% of money that is 100% FREE for a person to collect themselves. How they are still allowed to operate in any state is beyond me.Business Response
Date: 02/01/2024
According to our records,the claim in question was initiated by our firm on 10/12/2022 after receiving authorization electronically where ****************** agrees to our service. An email was then sent requesting him to verify it and he did. The representative assigned to this claim reached out to him the next day to explain the process. The fact that he doesnt recall does not invalidate our agreement. He was mailed and emailed the instructions to submit his forms to confirm ownership multiple times, the last claim form we sent to him on 12/06/23 was finally submitted and his payment was issued within a few weeks. All claims are assigned (by the State) a unique identified claim number and this claim was paid based off the number assigned to the claim our firm initiated. If in fact a new claim was to be filed independently, it would have been assigned a different identifier.Customer Answer
Date: 02/01/2024
I am rejecting this response because I am not invalidating their contract. I am saying they are patently predatory and at no time do they advise the person with whom they are explaining things to that the exact same services can be performed FREE OF CHARGE. They are collecting 10% of peoples money for doing what exactly? They have been paid their 10% for doing absolutely nothing because they scammed a person UNABLE TO UNDERSTAND into ELECTRONICALLY signing a document. As stated previously, they should not be permitted to operate in ANY state.Business Response
Date: 02/01/2024
Our service is like any other where the individual has the option to accept or simply deny the offer. We do not claim to be the only option for filing the claims. We do provide a phone number and a website for individuals to ask questions prior to engaging our service or signing a contract.Initial Complaint
Date:01/29/2024
Type:Status:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
We inadvertently signed a contract to have them pursue collecting unclaimed property on our behalf. We want to break this contract and they refuse to allow it. This is predatory as we do not want their services and do not want to pay for them. We want them to immediately cease any and all work on our behalf.Business Response
Date: 01/30/2024
You have not provided enough information for us to locate any claims under your name. Generally speaking, our agreements are binding contracts that can not be cancelled. Once the claim is initiated and the funds are collected, our agreement is enforced. All terms and fees regarding our service are clearly listed on the agreement for individuals to review prior to signing. Please reach out to our firm directly for further assistance, be sure to have your claim number available.Customer Answer
Date: 01/30/2024
I am rejecting this response because: You have not proven that any work has been done on our case. And we have received no funds on our behalf. We do not want your services any longer. We requested cancellation of this service less than 2 business days after the initial agreement was signed. We want to dissolve the contract now. Our lawyer will be contacting your company if you do not immediately dissolve this contract.Business Response
Date: 01/31/2024
Again, you are not providing any information for us to locate the claim in question. Feel free to have your lawyer reach out to us after reading our legally binding agreement.Customer Answer
Date: 01/31/2024
I am rejecting this response because: Please provide a copy of whatever "legally binding" agreement you allege ***** signed. Dissolve this now.Business Response
Date: 02/05/2024
Agreement is attached, a copy of it should have also been sent via email upon completion.Customer Answer
Date: 02/07/2024
I am rejecting this response because:
Dissolve this contract. We do not want your services.
Initial Complaint
Date:01/12/2024
Type:Status:ResolvedMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
PR&A are holding a bit over $1K of my money (from a credit union, claim ID ********* hostage by requiring some convoluted recovery process too burdensome (including buying stamps, mailing paperwork to them like were in the ****s) to be worth the $1000 Id receive. Ive called their office and they wont just send a check despite their ability to track down my current home address and my ability to prove my identity by phone. And despite their taking of 10% of my money - seems they intend instead to steal 100% of it because Im not willing to spend hours of my time (worth thousands more) to deal with it.Business Response
Date: 01/16/2024
Our firm sent you a notice regarding funds available to collect, where we offer our service to assist you in the recovery process for a fee. We are not in possession of the funds and therefore cannot just send you a check. As clearly stated in our notification,there is a process of filing the claim as well as our fee involved. You contacted our office demanding your check and as you were explained at that time, you will need to file the claim and wait the processing time as everyone else. If it takes you hours to sign two papers and dont wish to deal with it, you may simply disregard our notice. The funds will remain unclaimed until collected.Initial Complaint
Date:12/14/2023
Type:Status:ResolvedMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
I received a letter stating I am getting a refund for less than $1000 and its been 4 months, now going on 5 and I have yet to receive my payment. Im pretty p*ssed off.Business Response
Date: 12/15/2023
The processing of unclaimed property claims takes time, and it could be a lengthy process as claims are reviewed in the order they are received. We have absolutely no control over that time. Please reach out to our firm directly for any further assistance, BBB will have no impact on the waiting time.Initial Complaint
Date:09/28/2023
Type:Status:ResolvedMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
Payne Richards and Associates sent me mail about unclaimed payments I had. I went through the process ON MY OWN to obtain the payment from unclaimed money and now Im getting invoices from them to pay them. I have proof that my claim was opened by me and sent by me and that it was this claim that was fulfilled. I am not paying Payne Richards for literally doing nothing.Business Response
Date: 09/29/2023
We've contacted the unclaimed property department and have confirmed that in fact there was a duplicate claim filed so you may disregard the invoice. Adjustment has been made accordingly.Customer Answer
Date: 10/03/2023
Better Business Bureau:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.Initial Complaint
Date:07/27/2023
Type:Status:ResolvedMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
Was informed via mail that Payne Richards & Associates required a finders' fee for unclaimed property. I filled out all information and have not received the remainder of the amount from the unclaimed property account, Property ID# ********, *** *** ***
Claim ID ******** issused by Payne Richards & AssociatedBusiness Response
Date: 07/27/2023
Dear ******,
We received your documentation and submitted your claim for processing last month. As indicated on the documentation you signed, the processing time can go up to 4 months or even longer depending on the amount of claims received. There is no update until the claim is reviewed. For status, please reach out to us directly.
Initial Complaint
Date:10/21/2022
Type:Status:ResolvedMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
My dad died in 2017. In 2020 my mom signed a document from Payne Richards & Associates for them to help her collect unclaimed property from the state of Texas. Nothing ever came of their efforts. In 2022 I’m now my mom’s POA. I realized that she had unclaimed property with State of Texas. I submitted multiple claims, all necessary documents, spoke with the claim agents, and received payments from the state which was weirdly gratifying after all of my efforts. Fast forward several months and I get an invoice from PR&A for 10% of one of the claims. I called them today to explain that I had been the one that submitted the necessary documentation and did all of the work. But b/c my mom had signed their form in January 2020 - they’re entitled to their 10% which is ludicrous. I just paid the invoice b/c they’ll turn Mom over to collections, but what a scam. PR&A invoice # ********Business Response
Date: 10/24/2022
According to our records, the claim was paid
out under the claim our firm initiated and therefore the agreement is enforced.
If you had started your own claim, you would have been assigned a different reference
number but that was not the case.
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