FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: December 28, 2007
CONTACT: Bob Walsh
rwalsh@sos.nv.gov
(702) 486-2436
(702) 460-7223 (cellular)
New “Business Registration” Scam Targets Corporations
Secretary of State Ross Miller Warns Businesses to Beware of
Misleading Notice of Dissolution
Carson City, NV – Nevada Secretary of State Ross Miller is warning businesses throughout the state that they may be the target of a new mail fraud scheme. A “final notice” letter from the National Business Registration tells business owners that “Since the introduction of the Patriot Act of 2001 all businesses are required to register with the National Corporation Registry.” The notice goes on to say that unless the business pays a $487 fee within 14 days from receipt, they will be “administratively dissolved/revoked and an additional fee will be due if the entity is removed from our database due to non-payment.” The National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) and the International Association of Commercial Administrators (IACA) have expressed their concerns about these practices designed to deceive businesses. These organizations and their members throughout the country are warning of this scam.
“This deceptive trade practice is an attempt to defraud businesses under the guise of the Patriot Act,” said Secretary of State Ross Miller. “National Business Registration of Coral Springs, Florida is in no way affiliated with the Secretary of State’s Office or with any other government office. The Secretary of State's office will send written notification through an entity’s resident agent when an entity has been placed in default or revoked status.”
Receipt of correspondence from National Business Registration regarding administrative dissolution of a company does not mean that the Nevada Secretary of State’s Office is preparing to administratively dissolve a company for failure to respond to this correspondence. Failure to register and send in the designated $487 fee to National Business Registration/National Corporate Registry does not affect the status of a company registered with the Nevada Secretary of State’s Office.
Companies receiving this “final notice” from National Business Registration are advised to keep the notice, mailing envelop and return envelop, and contact the United States Postal Inspections Service at (877) 876-2455 to report this mail fraud. Companies can also report this deceptive practice at http://postalinspectors.uspis.gov. Go to the Investigations drop down menu and select Mail Fraud to file a complaint.