19 Nov Maine Annual Report SPAM Warning!
Warning to Maine Businesses and Non-Profits: Beware of Misleading Mailers for Maine 2025 Annual Report Filing
If you own or manage a business or nonprofit organization in Maine, be on the lookout for a deceptive marketing mailer that could end up taking you for a financial ride. These solicitations have the appearance of being an official document from the Maine Secretary of State and offer to file your annual report for a fee of $210, however the mailer is from a private company who has collected your business address thanks to a recent change in reporting requirements by the Maine Secretary of State. Here is an example of the deceptive marketing materials that were sent to every company in Maine:
What’s Happening?
The mailers are sent by an entity identified as “C.F.S.” and are designed to closely mimic the official appearance of the Maine Division of Corporations’ annual report form. This tactic has been used by similar entities in recent years, often targeting honest organizations trying to stay compliant with state filing requirements. We have been contacted now by many of our clients, because the form shows the name and address of the company’s current registered agent, which makes the form look even more official. However, you will see that it has a “gmail” address as the contact email address, clearly unprofessional, even if it is a real company.
What Makes These Mailers Misleading and Deceptive?
They look official, but they are merely marketing materials: While the mailers look official, the Maine Division of Corporations does not use the mail for annual report reminders. US Mail remains a very effective means by which scam artists get people to part with their money because it is so easy to emulate an official government form.
False Urgency: The deceptive mailers create a sense of urgency, pressuring recipients into immediate action. This is a common tactic scammers use to exploit unsuspecting individuals. In this case, it’s November 2024 and the Maine 2025 Annual Report is not due until June 1, 2025. The Secretary of State does not even permit the submission of an Annual Report until mid-January.
Incorrect and Unnecessary Fee: The State of Maine charges an Annual Report fee of $85. You should never pay anyone to file your company’s annual report except your registered agent. For those companies that serve as their own registered agent, you should only be paying your fee directly to the state. If you pay this company to file your annual report, you will still owe your registered agent company whatever their fee is.
How do we know it’s just a marketing piece, and nothing official?
Here are the biggest clues:
Why You Should Be Wary
Many business owners and nonprofit directors feel alarmed upon receiving these solicitations, worried they may be falling behind on critical filings. This anxiety is precisely what these scammers rely on to trick people into paying unnecessary fees.
The Maine Secretary of State’s Division of Corporations has previously confirmed that these mailings are unauthorized and should not be mistaken for official correspondence. Filing your annual report can be done easily through the official website, or you can delegate this task to a trusted professional (like Opticliff Law).
Protect Yourself by Verifying Official Communications
If you receive any unexpected request for payment, double-check its legitimacy by visiting the Maine Secretary of State’s website, contacting their office directly, reaching out to your Registered Agent (as a number of our clients did – extra star sticker for you!), or reaching out to us at Opticliff Law, even if you are not a client of ours. We will happily tell you if it’s a scam or not.
Stay safe out there, folks. Sadly, times of high anxiety, uncertainty, and turbulence are exactly when you may need to be on your highest alert. When in doubt, take a picture and ask a friend. Don’t do something quickly just to get it off your list (if it’s not definitely from a trusted source). You can always wait a few days to ensure it’s legit.
