Shortly after incorporating my S Corp I received two official looking letters from Corporation Compliance Filings. Both looked very much like state compliance forms. One quoted sections 9510 and 9511 of the California Corporation Disclosure Act, and the other also included section 1500 and 600. Each asked for detailed information about the corporation, including number and amount of shares. One had a fee of $125 ($175 if filed late) and the other wanted $175.

I completed each along with my other corporate paperwork, and even got as far as getting the check book out.

Then I got suspicious. Not sure why – they both looked very much legit. I called the 866 number on the form, and it picked up on the first ring. Hmm. Government agencies don’t typically provide 866 numbers, and they never pick up on the first ring. The voice on the other end was even friendly. I asked a few basic questions (eg. who do I make the check payable to) and the lady on the other end of the phone had no idea.

So I asked her if I was speaking with a government agency. She immediately went into the “no, this is a solicitation for …”

Beautifully done really. I came very close to sending these bastards $300.

So, inspect the paperwork you submit very carefully, particularly if it has fees attached.