Scammers are once again targeting businesses, this time with fake government compliance notices designed to confuse and exploit unsuspecting owners, according to a press release from the Better Business Bureau. These fraudulent letters, often made to appear official with seals, watermarks, and personal details stolen from data breaches, demand sensitive information or payment under the guise of legal compliance.
Business owners may receive mail claiming to come from agencies like the “United States Business Regulations Department” or the “Department of Records Management.” The letters warn of urgent compliance requirements, citing laws such as the Corporate Transparency Act. They may direct recipients to unsecured websites via QR codes or include dire penalties for noncompliance, such as hefty daily fines.
Victims have reported receiving letters urging them to file Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), complete with instructions to use dubious third-party services. Some letters include grammar errors or odd formatting — subtle clues that the correspondence isn’t legitimate.
The BBB offers the following tips to protect yourself from government impostor scams:
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Verify authenticity: Contact the agency directly using official contact information to confirm any correspondence.
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Check for errors: Spelling and formatting mistakes can signal a scam.
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Scrutinize websites: Ensure web addresses are secure (look for “https://”) and end in “.gov” for government sites.
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Avoid engagement: Once you recognize a scam, stop responding and block the sender.
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Report scams: Share your experience with BBB Scam Tracker or the FBI at ic3.gov.
