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.

Don’t Fall for Misleading Mailings from Filing Labor Compliance Department Services (FLCD)

The NC Secretary of State’s Office has been made aware of a misleading mailing targeting recently created North Carolina corporations, LLCs and other business entities. A Florida company, Filing Labor Compliance Department Services (FLCD), is mailing out a “2019 Certificate of Status Request” form implying that business entities are required to obtain a Certificate of Status. This is not true. Business Entities can visit the NC Secretary of State’s Office online at www.sosnc.gov to order Certificates of Existence whenever they are needed for business purposes. There is no State requirement that each registered business entity obtain an annual Certificate of Existence. Businesses have reported being asked to complete these “Certificate of Status Request” forms and return them with a $78 fee. The real fee for a Certificate of Existence through the Secretary of State’s Office is $10 online, or $15.00 for a hard copy.

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.
• An example (PDF) of a North Carolina Compliance Service solicitation.
• Complaint filed on by the NC Secretary of State’s Office and Attorney General’s Office.
• Temporary Restraining Order.
• Consent Order-Hearing Continued.
• Compliance Services PI Order.
• Signed Judgment in Compliance Services Case.

2007 Scam Alert Regarding National Business Register

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