H&R Block Wiped Taxpayer Data, Misled Consumers, FTC Alleges (2)

Tax preparation company H&R Block Inc. deleted consumers’ data in an effort to discourage taxpayers using its services from downgrading to cheaper products, the Federal Trade Commission alleged Friday in an administrative complaint.

The company also introduced other obstacles to downgrading, including “frustrating and time-consuming” customer service consultations and deceptively marketing some products as free when they ended up costing money for many, the agency said. The FTC’s complaint allegations, must be tried before an administrative law judge.

“H&R Block designed its online products to present an obstacle ...