Key Takeaways
- Some business owners are receiving official-looking mail tied to “beneficial ownership” filings
- These notices are not coming from the government
- Most businesses are not currently required to take action
- The goal is to fraudulently collect payment and sensitive information
- It’s worth verifying before responding to any unexpected request
If you’ve received a formal-looking notice in the mail referencing “beneficial ownership reporting,” you’re not alone. Since the beginning of the year, there has been an increase in fake BOI notices, and they’re designed to look like routine compliance filings.
They reference federal regulations, include form numbers, and often suggest there are deadlines or penalties tied to inaction. At a glance, they look like something you should handle quickly.
That’s exactly what they’re designed to do.
What’s Real and What Isn’t
Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting is a real concept created under the Corporate Transparency Act. That’s what gives these notices credibility. However, the current reality is very different from what many of these letters suggest.
As of 2025, most U.S.-based businesses are not required to file a BOI report, and federal agencies are not mailing out forms or requesting payment to complete one. In fact, legitimate BOI filings, when they are required, are submitted online through official government channels and are free to file.
The notices being sent are from private companies, not from FinCEN or the IRS. Many use names that sound official, such as “Annual Records Service” or similar variations, to create the impression of a government connection.
How These Scams Are Working
What makes these notices effective isn’t just how they look; it’s how they’re structured.
They often request a relatively small fee, typically in the $100–$300 range, which feels easier to pay than question. Some include QR codes or links to websites that closely resemble government portals. Others provide return envelopes to make responding as simple as possible.
In addition to payment, they may request ownership details, EINs, and signatures, information that can be used far beyond a single filing. The goal isn’t just compliance. It’s access.
Why Business Owners Are Being Targeted
This type of scam is aimed directly at small and mid-sized businesses for a reason.
You’re used to dealing with filings, deadlines, and regulatory changes. When something arrives that looks consistent with that experience, the instinct is to take care of it and move on.
That’s what these notices rely on: speed over scrutiny. And because the underlying topic is legitimate, it doesn’t raise the same immediate red flags as more obvious scams.
What to Do Before You Respond
If you receive a notice like this, the best next step is simple: pause and verify.
Government agencies are not asking for BOI filings by mail, and they are not requesting payment to complete them. Any unexpected request that includes a fee, a deadline, or a demand for sensitive information should be viewed with skepticism before taking action.
And if it is fraudulent, report the solicitation to ReportFraud.ftc.gov and FBI IC3 right away.
Don’t Let a Simple Request Become a Bigger Problem
Not every notice that looks official actually is. And in this case, many of them are designed to look just credible enough to avoid a second look. Taking a few minutes to verify before responding can save you more than just a filing fee. It can protect your business information and prevent larger issues down the line.
If you’ve received one of these notices or anything that doesn’t feel quite right, send it to us before taking action. We’ll review it with you and confirm whether it’s legitimate, so you can avoid unnecessary costs and focus on running your business.