Small businesses warned of bill scams

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Better Business Bureau has issued a warning about questionable letters being sent to small business owners.

The letters look like a bill from a state agency, but they're not.

"It's very frustrating that we get preyed on that way," business owner Lisa Tully said. "It just seems never-ending."

Tully recently opened a new hauling and moving company in Jacksonville. She followed the rules and registered her business with the state, and then she got the fake letter in the mail. It looks like a bill from Florida Corporate Filing Services for $47.99. While that's not a lot of money, it says the bill is for a certificate of status that might be required for loans, taxes and other business purposes.

Tully not only got the notice, but also another letter from another company that looks just the same. It's from United Business Services and is for $47.

"But I just wondered how many people would actually do that," Tully said. "You're busy, you are a small business owner. Everybody has their hand in your pocket, and most of it is legit. So you expect it's going to be legit until something like this comes along and you do a little bit of research."

A certificate of status is not required by the state for anything. In fact, the Better Business Bureau said there is no reason for it other than for someone to make some money off someone else.

"They just need to know they don't need to do that," Tully said. "That certificate of registration is totally bogus. If you go on the state of Florida's Division of Corporations website, they actually have a warning on the front page that says you don't have to do this. Don't send money to somebody else. Once you pay us you're done. You don't have to do anything else.

"But you know, if you don't go the website and look and you get something that looks so much like an official bill, an official inquiry, then a lot of people just pay it."

In a phone call, a representative of United Business Services said it is just a service. He said it's not a scam and it's not a bill, and people can ignore it.

Tully did and knew it was not legit.

"They sound really official," she said. "The stamp looks official and it does say this is not a government agency, but how many people read the fine print."

When you get questionable things like this in the mail, the best thing to do right away is Google it. A search of FCFS Florida shows numerous links to scams and rip-offs.


About the Author:

Jim Piggott is the reporter to count on when it comes to city government and how it will affect the community.