The Colorado
Secretary of State’s office today is alerting small business owners about
potentially misleading notices requesting an extra fee for a third party to
file business documents. The Secretary of State’s office has received multiple
reports of these potentially deceptive or misleading solicitations being sent
to Colorado businesses. The Colorado Secretary of State maintains an easy to
use online filing system for businesses. Use of a third party to complete
filings with the Secretary of State is not required.
The solicitation may:
* Appear similar to a government form.
* Contain your business entity’s actual business ID number and date of formation, as reflected in the Secretary of State’s business records.
* Contain a “Customer ID Number” that does not match a number given to you by a State or Federal Agency.
* Contain a warning to make sure that the form’s instructions are followed exactly when completing the form.
* Contain a due date for your response.
The solicitation may:
* Appear similar to a government form.
* Contain your business entity’s actual business ID number and date of formation, as reflected in the Secretary of State’s business records.
* Contain a “Customer ID Number” that does not match a number given to you by a State or Federal Agency.
* Contain a warning to make sure that the form’s instructions are followed exactly when completing the form.
* Contain a due date for your response.
* Mention a periodic report.
Click to see a sample of the misleading notice… In the example, the
company is charging a $75 “processing fee” for a $10 filing. The Secretary of
State’s office does not mail out business filing forms and compliance with
these notices is not required.
All business filings,
including annual Periodic Reports, are filed online. The current fee for filing
the Periodic Report is only $10. Business owners can find instructions to
easily and directly file business forms on the Secretary of State’s website
under the Business Organizations heading.
“We want to make sure
Coloradans have the tools they need for their businesses to succeed. We have an
easy-to-use and affordable business filing system. Business owners should be
wary of third-party solicitations related to filing requirements,” said
Secretary of State Jena Griswold
In order to receive advance notice of when Periodic Reports, Trademark renewals, or Trade Name renewals are due, business owners can sign up online for free Email Notifications. Additionally, business owners can visit the Secretary of State’s site to verify their business status, file a form or obtain a free certification.
In order to receive advance notice of when Periodic Reports, Trademark renewals, or Trade Name renewals are due, business owners can sign up online for free Email Notifications. Additionally, business owners can visit the Secretary of State’s site to verify their business status, file a form or obtain a free certification.
