Miller warns of business scam

Secretary of State Ross Miller is warning Nevada businesses they may be targeted by a new mail fraud.

The scam is in the form of a "final notice" letter from the National Business Registration claiming that, under the Patriot Act, businesses are required to register with the National Corporation Registry.

The letter demands a $487 fee within 14 days or the business will be "administratively dissolved/revoked and an additional fee will be due if the entity is removed from our database due to non-payment."

Miller said the scam has been tried in several states, prompting the National Association of Secretaries of State and the International Association of Commercial Administrators to issue warnings.

Miller said the letter is an attempt to defraud businesses.

"National Business Registration of Coral Springs, Florida is in no way affiliated with the Secretary of State's Office or with any other government office," he said.

He said the secretary of state's office sends written notification to Nevada businesses if they are in licensing trouble.

He added that failure to register and pay the $487 in no way affects the status of a company registered with the Nevada secretary of state's office.

He advised any company receiving such a notice to keep it along with the envelope and return envelope and notify the U.S. Postal Inspector's office at (877) 876-2455 or report it through the Internet at http://postalinspectors.uspis.gov. Go to the Investigations drop down menu and select Mail Fraud to file a complaint.

• Contact reporter Geoff Dornan at gdornan@nevadaappeal.com or 687-8750.