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BBB Business Review

This Business is not BBB accredited

Paybooks, Inc.

Phone: (800) 456-6616 Fax: (585) 262-2182 View Additional Phone Numbers 595 Blossom Road, Suite 305, Rochester, NY 14610 customerservice@paybooks.com http://www.paybooks.com

Description

This company offers payroll processing, payroll tax filing, direct deposit, 401k products and insurance.

BBB Accreditation

On the business's accreditation from BBB was revoked.

The revocation was due to violation of BBB Accreditation Standards:

1C. Be free from government action that demonstrates a significant failure to support BBB ethical principles in marketplace transactions (this requires a determination by BBB as to the nature of any violation, whether it was caused or condoned by management, and actions taken to resolve underlying issues that led to the government action).

6A. Promptly respond to all complaints forwarded by BBB by:

  1. Resolving the complaint directly with the complainant and notifying BBB, or
  2. Providing BBB with a response that BBB determines:
    • is professional,
    • addresses all of the issues raised by the complainant,
    • includes appropriate evidence and documents supporting the business' position, and
    • explains why any relief sought by the complainant cannot or should not be granted.

This business is not BBB accredited.

Businesses are under no obligation to seek BBB accreditation, and some businesses are not accredited because they have not sought BBB accreditation.

To be accredited by BBB, a business must apply for accreditation and BBB must determine that the business meets BBB accreditation standards, which include a commitment to make a good faith effort to resolve any consumer complaints. BBB Accredited Businesses must pay a fee for accreditation review/monitoring and for support of BBB services to the public.

Reason for Rating

BBB rating is based on 16 factors. Get the details about the factors considered.

Factors that lowered the rating for Paybooks, Inc. include:

  • Failure to respond to 5 complaints filed against business
  • Government action(s) against business
  • BBB Accreditation was revoked because the business failed to honor its accreditation agreement with BBB.

Customer Complaints Summary Read complaint details

5 complaints closed with BBB in last 3 years | 0 closed in last 12 months
Complaint Type Total Closed Complaints
Advertising/Sales Issues 0
Billing/Collection Issues 2
Delivery Issues 0
Guarantee/Warranty Issues 0
Problems with Product/Service 3
Total Closed Complaints 5

Read Complaints | Definitions | BBB Complaint Process | File a Complaint against Paybooks, Inc.
See Trends in Complaints on Paybooks, Inc.

  • Government Actions

    Imported
    In June 2009 the New York State Attorney General filed a lawsuit against Paybooks, Inc. after an investigation revealed the company’s president, Jeffrey Sykes was defrauding millions of dollars from hundreds of area businesses. As part of the filing of a lawsuit, the Attorney General obtained a court order freezing the assets of Paybooks, Inc. and Sykes. The order also appoints a receiver to operate the company and determine customer tax liability. An investigation by the Attorney General found that Sykes used his customers’ money for personal and operating expenses when he should have been forwarding to governmental agencies as payroll tax payments. In total, Paybooks currently owes in excess of $2 million in late taxes, plus interest and penalties. The Attorney General’s lawsuit against Sykes and Paybooks seeks restitution for customers and penalties to the state, as well as to bar the company from doing business in New York state. Attorney General Cuomo urges any consumers or business owners who believe they may have been defrauded by Sykes or Paybooks to contact his Rochester Regional Office at 585-546-7430.

    What government actions does BBB report on?

  • Advertising Review

    BBB has nothing to report concerning Paybooks, Inc.'s advertising at this time.

    What is BBB Advertising Review?

Additional Information

top
BBB file opened: February 13, 2003 Business started: 01/01/1984
Contact Information
Complaint Contact: Mr. Jeffrey Sykes, President
Business Category

PAYROLL SERVICE

Government Action

In June 2009 the New York State Attorney General filed a lawsuit against Paybooks, Inc. after an investigation revealed the company’s president, Jeffrey Sykes was defrauding millions of dollars from hundreds of area businesses. As part of the filing of a lawsuit, the Attorney General obtained a court order freezing the assets of Paybooks, Inc. and Sykes. The order also appoints a receiver to operate the company and determine customer tax liability. An investigation by the Attorney General found that Sykes used his customers’ money for personal and operating expenses when he should have been forwarding to governmental agencies as payroll tax payments. In total, Paybooks currently owes in excess of $2 million in late taxes, plus interest and penalties. The Attorney General’s lawsuit against Sykes and Paybooks seeks restitution for customers and penalties to the state, as well as to bar the company from doing business in New York state. Attorney General Cuomo urges any consumers or business owners who believe they may have been defrauded by Sykes or Paybooks to contact his Rochester Regional Office at 585-546-7430.

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BBB Complaint Process

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