Business scams that look legit
Reading the document thoroughly reveals this official- looking letter as a scam. It actually admits it in bold print, but many business owners overlook it.
Trying to tell the difference between what is real and what is a scam when it comes to letters in the mail these days is tough. And it is getting tougher.
A faux 2022 periodic report and instruction form is making its way into many mailboxes belonging to Douglas County business owners. There might be one in your unopened stack of mail as you read this. This misleading letter states that it is time to file a periodic report.
The timing to file a report could be true for your business, but that is also where the truth ends. This third party offers to do it for you for the “small fee” of $130. The instructions ask you to mail the check in the enclosed envelope and the company will file the report on your behalf. But hold on to your money.
The Colorado Secretary of State (SoS) has an online filing system where a business owner can find and file everything online for only $10; third party “collectors” are not necessary. Clicking through the SoS website, there are warnings about such scam letters. The SoS website acknowledges that it has been notified of potentially deceptive or misleading solicitations currently in circulation.
If you receive such a document, beware that although it might look similar to a government form and the solicitation may contain an official-looking seal, the fine print may reveal a scam. Red flags to look for include a request for payment; if a letter implies that failing to return the form might cause your business to no longer be in good standing with the state of Colorado; if the document contains a corporate identification number that does not match the number assigned to you; or the business name is misspelled.
If you have received one of these scam notices, call 303-894-2200 and select option two or scan and email the form to sos.business@coloradosos.gov. Either option allows you to file the complaint with the SoS.
The Castle Pines Connection and one of its independent contractors both recently received this letter. Fortunately, they read the document thoroughly and did some further investigation into the source – reaching the conclusion that the documents were misleading and an attempt to take advantage. Hopefully after reading this article, others will be more discerning as well.
For more information and to see what scam letters are currently in circulation, visit
sos.state.co.us.
By Karen Leigh; photo by Terri Wiebold
