Menu
For Business Write a review File a complaint
First Priority Pay

First Priority Pay review: Payroll Fraud 48

S
Author of the review
3:50 pm EDT
Resolved
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
Featured review
This review was chosen algorithmically as the most valued customer feedback.

Same thing happened with us...Priority Pay owes my company well over $700 that they collected from my payroll account but never paid the EDD or the IRS on our behalf. Instead, they KEPT it! I had to pay this amount on my own to the state and IRS...AGAIN...and have been 100% ignored by Priority Pay. You can never speak to a "human". They just connect you to voicemail and you never get a call back, even after repeated calls.

After a little more research online today, I found that two of their employees were just charged with embezzling $585, 000, and the president of the company (Jerry Carter - the one who never calls you back) was just arrested, as well. Here is a link on that: http://www.nj.com/mobile/articles/paper1.ssf?/base/news-2/126414516374640.xml&coll=3

Anyone else thought about getting together on a class-action on these guys or anything? Otherwise, I see no way of ever getting back the money they stole from us.

Update by SouthlandEquine
Apr 06, 2010 3:55 pm EDT

There is a Google Groups victims board you can join where everyone is getting together at: http://groups.google.com/group/first-priority-pay-scam-victims?hl=en

Resolved

The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

48 comments
Add a comment
G
G
Greg Vacek
Omaha, US
Mar 25, 2010 10:00 am EDT

I've been told a class action suit could bebnefit all of us who have been scammed. THat way we don't have to file in Hudson County.

Email me if you are interested in starting this process.

Greg Vacek
gvacek1@yahoo.com

G
G
Greg Vacek
Omaha, US
Mar 25, 2010 10:00 am EDT

I've been told a class action suit could benefit all of us who have been scammed. That way we don't have to file in Hudson County.

Email me if you are interested in starting this process.

Greg Vacek
gvacek1@yahoo.com

Post your Comment

F
F
FPP Customer
Glendale, US
Mar 25, 2010 2:33 pm EDT

Hello,

Our company also got scammed by First Priority Pay Payroll. I want to gather as many customers as possible and hopefully all of us can file a class action lawsuit against FPP.

Please email me your contact information to:

fppscam@hotmail.com

Let us all work together to get back what is rightfully ours.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Elaine

J
J
jack wagner
East Amherst, US
Mar 29, 2010 4:18 pm EDT

Our company has also been scammed. I haven't even heard from NY State yet but we owe the Feds $1583.33 from 4 payrolls last year that they took our money but never paid the IRS. A class action suit sounds great to me unless it will cost us more to prosecute it than they owe us. You also can't get blood out of a turnip, but I'm game - let's go for it

Jack Wagner jackw@inracks.com

K
K
Kelly Chieffe
Boca Raton, US
Apr 06, 2010 10:35 am EDT

My company owes about 6K in unpaid federal tax. Im sure the same story as all of yours. Class Action sounds good to me in. In the mean time We all need to pay our taxes AGAIN Right?

A
A
Another Victim Of FPP
Tumwater, US
Apr 06, 2010 3:49 pm EDT

We got ripped off to the tune of almost $8000 that we know about for sure. I suspect another $12, 000 for the third quarter of 2009. I had to relentlessly hound FPP for copies of all of our 3rd quarter paperwork and finally got some of it. I had no idea FPP hadn’t even filed it until I was informed last week by an IRS employee. According to the IRS, they received around $12, 000 less in taxes than FPP collected out of our payroll account. I noticed issues last summer when I got notices from the IRS and Department of Labor & Industries about unpaid taxes and premiums. Nobody at FPP would return phone calls or answer emails, including "Mr. Carter." By mid-October, I had switched to another payroll company. Carter/FPP supposedly found all this out in November of 2009, but did they bother letting me know? Of course not! When I got the IRS notice of unpaid 4th quarter taxes on March 8th, 2010 and contacted Carter, he emailed me a "client letter" dated January 22nd that had never been sent to our office. Again, nobody at FPP will return calls or answer emails, nor will their attorney, Lawrence Cotler. I have repeatedly asked Jerry Carter and his lawyer for the name and contact information for their liability insurer and bonding company (NOTE: The FPP website claims to they are insured and bonded), but they will not answer. TODAY (04/06/2010), I got an email with a letter from Carter stating they were filing Chapter 7 BANKRUPTCY! I also contacted Mr. Figueroa’s new business right after finding this out. The woman who answered the phone, but wouldn’t identify herself, claimed there was more to this story than Mr. Carter was telling anyone. After today’s correspondence, I wonder. I think there is much more to this than former clients are being told. If FPP was bonded and insured, why won’t Jerry Carter provide that information to clients? This is a small, but fast growing, healthcare business that just underwent an expansion. Everything the owners have is tied up in that. This action could very well ruin this business and put 20 people out of work. I’d be happy to be involved in any kind of action against FPP, Jerry Carter, or even Jose Figueroa, if he really did do what they claim he did. You may email me at sehuntington@qwestoffice.net.

A
A
Another Victim Of FPP
Tumwater, US
Apr 06, 2010 4:37 pm EDT

http://www.nj.com/hobokennow/index.ssf/2009/12/jerry_carter_a_hoboken_busines.html

Check this link out.

P
P
paygone
Beverly, US
Apr 06, 2010 5:52 pm EDT

I was also victimized by FPP and Jerry Carter (stole aprox 12K of our payroll witholdings). I have contacted state, local, FBI and Secret Service. If you are a victim of FPP you must contact the Secret Service. Agent Brian Turk is working on the case and is requesting anyone whow has had stolen funds from First Priority Pay or Jerry Carter via payroll services contact him. Agent Turk's direct line is [protected] his e-mail is brian.turk@usss.dhs.gov

V
V
Vijay Y
Fremont, US
Apr 06, 2010 11:26 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I am also victim of FPP. They stole more than 7K of our payroll withholdings. Today I received email from Jerry Carter saying that FPP filed bankruptcy. Mean while, I have to pay heavy penalties for not paying taxes.
Thanks for information about Turk. I will send email to him.

F
F
FPP Vicitm
US
Apr 08, 2010 12:57 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Vijay,

If you want to join the FPP Vicitm' s group, share your email ID.

Thanks

F
F
FPP Vicitm
US
Apr 08, 2010 12:59 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Kelly Chieffe,

Please share your emailID, There are bunch of us here being victims of FPP. Together we can file a law suit.

Thanks

T
T
THFLR
Cranbury, US
Apr 12, 2010 6:50 pm EDT

Hi everyone I'm A victim too..
I'm and was ready to hire a law firm to take us to the next step in New Jersey but I heard that FPP filed for bankruptcy .
I guess there is nothing now we could do by filing a suite against FPP but how about civil suite against the owner of FPP. DID anyone explored this avenue ?
Please let me now your thoughts thayek@thflooring.com

K
K
kegconnection
San Marcos, US
Apr 12, 2010 8:45 pm EDT

We had over $10, 000 in payroll taxes stolen. Does anyone have any specifics about the backruptcy? Where it was filed and who we need to contact to file a claim? I am going to go to some of he links that you have included in your emails and see what people are doing. Thanks for the info.

G
G
Greg Vacek
Omaha, US
Apr 13, 2010 8:19 am EDT

We should file a civil suit

J
J
jcarterhater
Egg Harbor Township, US
Apr 26, 2010 11:21 am EDT

HE IS WHAT EVERYBODY IS SAYING...A THIEF! I USE TO WORK WITH HIM. HE PROMISED ALOT OF THINGS FOR US AND NEVER EVER DELIVERED. THERE IS ALWAYS SOMETHING SHADY GOING ON WITH HIM. I NOW HEAR HE JUST STARTED A CLEANING SERVICE SO WATCH OUT FOR THAT. HE'S A LOSER AS A BUSINESS MAN AND A LOSER AS A PERSON! NO DOUBT ABOUT IT!

S
S
shcrh
US
May 12, 2010 1:43 pm EDT

Priority Pay Payroll company embezzled over $200, 000.00 from our bank account and didn't pay the IRS and EDD. We are liable for this amount plus penalties and interest. Jerry Carter was aware the money was taken from our account and the IRS and EDD were not getting paid. It started the last part of the 2nd qtr, 3rd qtr and 4th qtr of 2009. They purposely didn't file a 3rd qtr return to stall time. By the time we received a statement from the IRS and the EDD the damage was already done. As someone else commented, they gave us the run around stating there were some mix ups and they were making the payments and sent us copies of the payments submitted, but said it would take 4-6 weeks to post. Certainly we wanted to believe that was true. By the time there gig was up they had already sold our account to ADP.The checks they sent all bounced multiple times. Jerry's mom was our account processor and she was in on it as well. Judith and Randy Bergman in the tax dept. stated Jerry didn't put money in the account to cover the checks therefore they kept bouncing. The whole thing was a Ponsi scheme. Based on the time line of communication between our company and Jerry Carter and his staff it proves he had first hand knowledge that they were taking money from company accounts and not paying the proper agencies but yet continued to do so while misleading people and stalling time to continue his scam and enable him to hide the money then file for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy protection.

A
A
Abdul C
US
May 26, 2019 9:26 pm EDT
Replying to comment of shcrh

Oh my goodness. I can not believe this. First Priority Payroll, Inc. did the same thing to me. I have been assessed tax liens for unpaid taxes that were never forwarded to the IRS and Georgia Department of Revenue. This is unreal.

My email address is aemusicgroupllc@gmail.com

F
F
fountain
Wrightsville Beach, US
May 12, 2010 10:39 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Jerry carter is a thief Bob

F
F
fountain
Wrightsville Beach, US
May 12, 2010 10:44 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

jerry carter is a thief

V
V
victimized2
Hoboken, US
May 24, 2010 10:51 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Jerry Carter now has a Cleaning Company in Providence New Jersey.

Is advertising that is has over 15 years of service.

The cleaning company is called Anago.

So from FIrst Priority Pay to Carter and Consultants to a cleaning company

G
G
gmayocum
Rockledge, US
Jul 26, 2010 8:54 am EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

We too are victims. My company (about $16, 000) and my husband's (about $12, 000). We have the exact same story as everyone else. Let us know how to help! My email is maryann@gsig-ins.com.

C
C
ctp_consult
Parker, US
Aug 10, 2010 7:50 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I am also a victim to this mess. I have had to pay the IRS the taxes not paid and fees and penalties. I paid to keep the amount from growing. I have been trying to work with the IRS to get the penalties waived. I received the denial letter and now have to work through the appeals process. Has anyone had any luck with getting the IRS to waive the extra fees? It is bad enough we have to pay the taxes twice. Why penalize us further?

S
S
srinibora
irvine, US
Sep 08, 2010 2:10 am EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Hi,
I am also another victim of FPP for $56000, they were taking money from our account since May of 2008 and never paid a dime to IRS. I was not aware of this at all. my email id is srinibora@gmail.com

R
R
rpdoug
fairfield, US
Sep 09, 2010 1:37 pm EDT

Hi- I run a non-profit organization in CT and we we're also victims. I never got a letter from the lawyers involved, First Priority Pay, or the IRS. It wasn't until we filed our annual return that we found the discrepancy. Does anyone have any contact information or was there ever a class-actin lawsuit against the company. Any information would be helpful! Thanks, Rich rpdoug@optonline.net

A
A
Abdul C
US
May 26, 2019 9:29 pm EDT
Replying to comment of rpdoug

You can file a bankruptcy claim with the State of New Jersey. I just found out that I am not the only one that this company scammed.

B
B
Brush Salon
Long Branch, US
Sep 13, 2010 12:13 pm EDT

I gues I am late to the party. I just became aware that FPP did the same thing to us. I just received two letters from the St of NJ and the IRS regarding missing filings and no deposits for the 4th Qtr of 2009. We owe app $12, 000 to these agencies plus accrued interest and penalties. I am interested and willing to join parties with all other victims and go after them. Please contact me at brushsalonnj@me.com and let me know what you need from me to get started.

M
M
Mark Davidson
Palm Springs, US
Sep 14, 2010 4:46 pm EDT

I am in the same boat. Though i had heard of earlier non-filings, I thought we had it all take care of and only had to pay $350.
Now I find that we owe $3400 on a 941.
The filing deadline for claims was July 7, 2010 so I need to get info on making a claim because the IRS said we were OK when we inquired only now tell us that the amount is due.

D
D
David Allaire
Warwick, US
Sep 16, 2010 2:41 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I recently found out the FPP screwed (excuse my french) me too. Come to find out I owe the IRS and the State of RI approximately $20, 000. If anyone has any information about filing a claim could you please post it here. Has anyone had any luck filing a claim? If anyone would like to talk and "vent" about their situation, my number is [protected]

A
A
Augusto Polo
Santa Monica, US
Oct 01, 2010 3:28 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I have a small business and just found out that First Priority did not pay EDD nor IRS taxes last year! This is so messed up. Can anyone give me info as to how to file a claim against these people? Is there a class action suit being prepared? I want in on this. Please email me with any information. Thank you.

augustopolo@msn.com

D
D
David Allaire
Warwick, US
Oct 04, 2010 10:42 am EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I would urge all First Priority Payroll victims to call Special Agent Eric Rennert. He is a criminal investigator for the IRS. Call and give him the details about your situation. His phone number is [protected]. Let's get these crooks in jail.

A
A
American Vet
US
Nov 26, 2010 5:09 pm EST

Jerry is back to screwing people over. His new company is Personal Touch Home Remodeling INC (not LLC). Address is 282 Woodbridge Ave, Woodbridge NJ.

J
J
JF1513
Gillette, US
Dec 07, 2010 4:03 pm EST
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Our company is in a similar situation to others. We owe somewhere around $32, 000 (!) dollars because FPP didn't pay the IRS, and what do you know...they came calling this week wondering where the hell their money was. This is devastating to our business and could force us to close, seeing how that sort of money doesn't just grow on trees.

S
S
srinibora
irvine, US
Dec 07, 2010 4:38 pm EST
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I Have been going through this from Sep onwards with IRS. My Principal amount was some where around 53K and my penalties were around 32K. I paid the original amount but they still sent me the Levy notice for 32k and i paid that again. There are couple of reason for telling this reason. 1. 941 is the highest priority for IRS because it is a double dip and it is your responsibility to make sure that the taxes are filed properly or not even though you delegate it. If this is case i don't know why govt allow the payroll companies to exits without letting us know the caveat. 2) Just closing does not help you IRS Will come after your personal assets to collect there taxes. IRS will be haunting you forever. Pretty unfair conclusion. Best thing talk with IRS And get into a payment plan and resolve it. Closing your business is not the option.

T
T
touchedbygod
US
Jan 03, 2011 7:20 pm EST

Jerry carters newest company phone is:
Personal Touch Home Remodeling

280 Woodbridge Ave, Woodbridge, NJ

601 US Route 206 Suite 26-326, Hillsborough, NJ 08844

Email: info@ptremodeling.com

Phone: [protected]
Fax: [protected]

V
V
victimized2
Hoboken, US
Jan 13, 2011 5:30 am EST
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

NJBiz.com states that clients claims for First Priority Fraud is 15 million dollars. If anyone wants the whole article emailed. contact me by clicking profile and I will email to you . Something has to be done to stop the injustice done to so many former FIrst Priority Pay customers. IF you want your voices heard hit the media... call your attorney generals..Ask that your rights be honored. It's obvious that the former owner is trying to shirk his responsability ..ask for justice..dear former clients of First Priority Pay..don't let this injustice done you remain without action.. Write your newspapers. Call your congressman.. do what you have to.. Go on tv!

A
A
Abdul C
US
May 26, 2019 9:33 pm EDT

Greetings, please send me this article if you have it.

Thanks

T
T
The NJ Dragon
Clark, US
Mar 15, 2011 10:36 pm EDT

Jerry Carter's HOME address
34 Drost Lane
Hillsborough, NJ 08844
personal Cell
[protected]

U
U
urked
Santa Ana, US
Mar 15, 2011 10:58 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

See this link:

http://www.nj.com/hobokennow/index.ssf/2009/12/jerry_carter_a_hoboken_busines.html

Class Action suit will do no good since the guy is locked up.

V
V
victimized2
Hoboken, US
Mar 15, 2011 11:47 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

that is not his cell or his address

T
T
the-avenger
Piscataway, US
Mar 21, 2011 4:55 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Jerry Carters address and personal phone posted 5 days ago by the New Jersey Dragon is correct!
Carter was running another racket called Personal Touch Home remodeling based in Woodbridge NJ. We tried locating him for weeks after he pocketed our deposit and his company disappeared. The Dragon's posting helped us find him ( deposit still not recovered). If you are trying to locate him his correct address and personal phone were posted on this board by the New Jersey Dragon 5 days ago .

V
V
victimized2
Hoboken, US
Mar 21, 2011 5:24 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I hope this time they dont let him go.. he should have been put away the first time..when people close their eyes and let the bad people go ..more bad things happen.. i have suffered so much because of him and continue to do so.. lost so much .. evidence that pointed out how ugly he was never was taken into account.. seeems the poor lady from wv was not the only one naive..the law let him back out to hurt more people!

W
W
whatever123
Westfield, US
Apr 04, 2011 7:12 pm EDT

He changed the name of the remodeling company to Premier remodeling and is going by the name Jerimiah Carter

P
P
papanj
US
Apr 04, 2011 7:14 pm EDT

this guy is a serious piece of sh-t he is now operating under another business name and doing the same thing I worked for him for about 2 partial wks. I did get paid first 2 days and i am now owed 3 days plus a day i wasted sitting at job location for him to come with key to property for me to go in get my tools and also for him to pay me what he owed me and when I spoke with him on phone he said oh I forgot the key at my house honestly it will take me at least 2 hrs to do this if not come back at 12 and i will cash and key. Well long story short never happened he did give me a chk which could not be cashed then gave me $100 and was suppose to get 2 more in few hrs which never happened gave him till today to meet me at owners house so I can get my tools and for Jerry Carter to pay me but when I got there called Jerry and He said would be there in 1/2 hour he was on his way. So I went to door and asked owner if I could go get my tools and he said no, that no one was allowed on his property until Jerry Carter came with correct paper work and receipts. I explain that I too was ripped off of some money and was looking for him too. So now on top of being ripped off of my money in labor in did, owner will not let me get my personal tools, the tools I use to make a living.

More First Priority Pay reviews & complaints

First Priority Pay - Payroll Fraud: FPP took our money but did NOT deposit taxes or file tax returns 42
Resolved
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
First Priority Pay - They did not file taxes
Resolved
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.