Post by Deleted on Apr 1, 2013 11:20:22 GMT -5
Secretary Hargett Warns Businesses of Statewide Corporate Scam
Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett’s office has received inquiries about an official-looking notice from Corporate Records Service. It appears that these notices began arriving in mailboxes around January 22, 2013 and Tennesseans are continuing to receive them. Corporate Records Service is not registered, affiliated, or associated with the Tennessee Secretary of State.
The mailer is causing confusion for Tennessee corporations due to its appearance as an official document. Tennessee corporations are required to file annual reports with the Tennessee Secretary of State. Most corporations have also recently received annual report notices from the Secretary of State.
Corporate Records Services is requesting a $125 fee. The standard fee to file a corporation annual report in Tennessee is only $20.
“We can confirm that Corporate Records Service is not a business entity on file with our office,” Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett said. “I strongly advise corporations to exercise caution before providing their private and confidential information or credit card information to this or any company that is representing itself in this manner.”
The Department of State maintains a user-friendly online annual report filing system for businesses. Entity details may be accessed online at tnbear.tn.gov/Ecommerce/FilingSearch.aspx. Customers may also call the Business Services Division at 615-741-2286 for more information.
Reports of similar mailings have surfaced in other states including Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Maine, New York, Texas, and Washington.
Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett’s office has received inquiries about an official-looking notice from Corporate Records Service. It appears that these notices began arriving in mailboxes around January 22, 2013 and Tennesseans are continuing to receive them. Corporate Records Service is not registered, affiliated, or associated with the Tennessee Secretary of State.
The mailer is causing confusion for Tennessee corporations due to its appearance as an official document. Tennessee corporations are required to file annual reports with the Tennessee Secretary of State. Most corporations have also recently received annual report notices from the Secretary of State.
Corporate Records Services is requesting a $125 fee. The standard fee to file a corporation annual report in Tennessee is only $20.
“We can confirm that Corporate Records Service is not a business entity on file with our office,” Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett said. “I strongly advise corporations to exercise caution before providing their private and confidential information or credit card information to this or any company that is representing itself in this manner.”
The Department of State maintains a user-friendly online annual report filing system for businesses. Entity details may be accessed online at tnbear.tn.gov/Ecommerce/FilingSearch.aspx. Customers may also call the Business Services Division at 615-741-2286 for more information.
Reports of similar mailings have surfaced in other states including Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Maine, New York, Texas, and Washington.