Business Warning!

Post date: Jun 14, 2013 10:54:23 PM

From the Office of Secretary of State John Gale 402-471-2554 www.sos.ne.gov

For Release June 14, 2013 Contact: Laura Strimple 402-471-8408 laura.strimple@nebraska.gov

Questionable mailer sparks warning from Secretary of State

LINCOLN – A questionable mailer that has made the rounds in several states is starting to show up in Nebraska. It’s prompted a flood of calls to the Secretary of State’s office.

"This is not necessarily new, complaints about this direct-mailer have been reported in other states since last year," explained Secretary of State John Gale. "However this is the first time we’re hearing about it here in Nebraska."

The mailer titled, "2013 Annual Minutes Form", is being sent to Nebraska corporations from a business that calls itself Corporate Records Service. The mailing urges business corporations to file information and send payment in the amount of $125.00 by a certain date in order to maintain proper records.

The solicitations include a reference to the Nebraska Business Corporation Act and they appear official, however, the Secretary of State is alerting Nebraska business entities that this service is not necessary to maintain good standing in the state of Nebraska.

"These letters didn’t originate from our office or any other government agency," said Gale. "Furthermore, Corporate Records Service is not registered to do business in Nebraska."

"Other secretaries of state have posted alerts on their websites regarding these mailings. Unfortunately, businesses are often the target of such scams. Obviously, there’s been a lot of confusion regarding this most recent mailing, as evidenced by the number of phone calls we’ve received in our office in just the past few days."

For more information on fraud and scams targeting business, please contact the Attorney General's office at (800) 727-6432.

Nebraska businesses are reminded that any official notices sent from the Secretary of State’s office will include the letterhead and/or contact information for the Business Services Division of the Secretary of State’s office.

"We hope that by responding quickly to these complaints, we can get the word out that businesses should be watchful for this mailing and disregard it," said Gale.