State warns of business scam

Nevada Secretary of State Ross Miller last week warned businesses in 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, it will be "administratively dissolved/revoked and an additional fee will be due if the entity is removed from our database due to non-payment."

Miller said the National Association of Secretaries of State and the International Association of Commercial Administrators are concerned that these practices are designed to deceive businesses.

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, he said.

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 envelope and return envelope, and contact the United States Postal Inspections Service at (877) 876-2455 to report the mail fraud.

Companies can also report this deceptive practice at http://postalinspectors.uspis.go . Go to the Investigations drop down menu and select Mail Fraud to file a complaint.