Having returned from four days in computer netherworld, I ventured to get the mail from my PO Box and found a letter from the “Board of Minutes and Resolutions, Compliance Division.” For just $175, this “Board” promises to do your annual compliance filing (in California, that’s with the Secretary of State’s office; in other states, the Board of Corporations handles this function). If you do it yourself, it costs $25.
It’s a scam, of course, in probable violation of several California statutes — The fraudulent use of corporate ID numbers; Language designed to frighten recipients into acting quickly; Language designed to convince recipients that their service is necessary to maintain compliance with state regulations when it is not; Lack of a true physical address where the business is located on the solicitation form; and
Fraudulent use of multiple private mail box drops to make it appear that they are a government agency.
When you receive an invoice that you aren’t expecting, make sure it’s real. In this case, the envelope noted it was mailed “Standard” rate (formerly bulk rate).
Incidentally, I found lots of information on scam.com — a good source for future reference.
— Russ