Secretary of State Hargett Warns Tennessee Businesses About Mail Renewal Scam – Report Any Suspicious Activity to the Division of Businesses and Charitable Organizations

Secretary of State Tre Hargett has issued a warning to businesses in Tennessee about a mail scam targeting business renewals. The scam involves a deceptive mailer from a company called Tennessee Business Filing Center, which threatens additional fees and business dissolution if the entity does not file within 60 days of the April 1 deadline.

Hargett and the Division of Businesses and Charitable Organizations have received multiple complaints about this misleading mailer, which requests hundreds of dollars in fees from businesses to complete their annual renewal process. Hargett reminds businesses that the Secretary of State’s office provides these services at much lower costs.

To report suspicious activity related to this scam, businesses can email TNSOS.CERT@tn.gov or call (615) 741-2286. Complaints can also be filed with the Attorney General’s office by calling (615) 741-3491 or visiting their website. For more news and updates across the state, visit the provided link.

Businesses in Tennessee must file annual reports with the state by April 1 each year to maintain active status and legally operate in the state. These reports update or confirm an entity’s records with the Department of State. To file an annual report, businesses can visit the website provided.

Hargett warns all Tennessee business owners to be cautious of mailings from third parties offering services similar to those of the Secretary of State’s office. These third parties are not affiliated with the office, and any suspicious activity should be reported to the Division of Business and Charitable Organizations.

In addition to this warning, Hargett reminds businesses that they have until April 1st to file their annual reports with the state’s Department of State in order to maintain active status and continue operating legally within Tennessee’s borders.

The Secretary of State has emphasized that it is important for businesses to verify any information they receive regarding renewals before taking any action based on it. If there are any concerns or questions regarding renewals, Hargett advises businesses