Alerts
Some business practices may be fraudulent or even misleading to the public. The Secretary of State’s Office helps to protect North Carolina citizens and businesses by posting these schemes on the website.
Solicitation For Services: 2020 – Annual Report Instruction Form
It is not uncommon for business owners to receive deceptive solicitations that look official and appear to be coming from the state. While the majority of these mailings relate to annual reports (or in some states, periodic reports), some also focus on annual minutes or business-license requirements.
Alert: Certificate of Existence Order Scheme
NC Certificate Service has mailed out forms so that businesses can order a NC Secretary of State 2019 Certificate of Existence at a cost of $74.50. This is a business scheme. Businesses are not required to order a Certificate of Existence as a step in the formation process
Don't Fall For Misleading Mailings from the North Carolina Council for Corporations
Don’t Fall for Misleading Mailings from Filing Labor Compliance Department Services (FLCD)
2015 Annual Records Statement Scheme
2014 Certificate of Existence Scam
North Carolina Business Filing Services, LLC has mailed out forms so that businesses can order a NC Secretary of State 2014 Certificate of Existence at a cost of $59.99. This is a scam. Businesses are not required to order a Certificate of Existence as a step in the formation process.
Annual Report Form Scam
You may receive an unsolicited document in the mail asking you to pay $125.00 to a company to file your corporation’s Annual Report Form. This is a scam. It is not an official government document. It is not approved by our office.
2009 Alert: Annual Minutes Requirement Statement Solicitation
There is a solicitation involving the preparation of annual report minutes being mailed to North Carolina companies. North Carolina law does not require you to file corporate minutes with the NC Secretary of State’s Office.
2007 Scam Alert Regarding National Business Register