Consumer Alert: “Notice of Potential Compliance Violation” by the “Business Compliance Division”

Posted on by Jeffrey A. Franklin, Esq.

Don’t be a victim, watch out for a misleading “Notice of Potential Compliance Violation” from the “Business Compliance Division,” says Prince Law Offices, P.C. attorney Jeffrey A. Franklin.

The mailing appears to be an official government document, but it is not.

Several businesses have reported receiving the postcard, which directs the recipient to call 1-855-530-2615 to avoid potential fees and penalties. The card bears a symbol with a scale and two hands shaking.

The address of the Business Compliance Division on a recent postcard states its address as 3915 Union Deposit Rd #921, Harrisburg, PA  17109.  This is the address of a store with private mail boxes.  Reports of similar letters and cards from other states have also been reported.

When the business owner calls the number, he is told to pay a one-time fee of $70 to apply for a Certificate of Good Standing or something similar.

Businesses should exercise caution before providing information or payment to Business Compliance Division, or any other entity that makes misleading claims or requests.

A certificate of existence/good standing/subsistence is proof that a domestic corporation or domestic limited liability company is in existence.  A good standing certificate is available to anyone for ordering through the state.  In Pennsylvania, it is called a subsistence certificate and is available online for $40 from https://www.corporations.pa.gov/Search/CorpSearch.

If you have questions about business documents, contact attorney Jeffrey A. Franklin at Prince Law Offices, P.C. or your state’s corporation bureau or attorney general.

Published by Jeffrey A. Franklin, Esq.

Jeffrey A. Franklin serves clients in ways that maximize their opportunity to achieve their goals. Jeff has more than 20 years of experience, primarily in the areas of electric, gas, telecommunication, alternative energy, transportation and water regulation. He also has extensive experience in technology, Internet and computer law and e-discovery issues.

18 thoughts on “Consumer Alert: “Notice of Potential Compliance Violation” by the “Business Compliance Division””

  2. Just received it today with an address of 2000 Pennsylvania Ave. NW #370 Washington, DC 20006. Thought it was a scam the second I saw it.

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  5. i GOT THIS POSTCARD WITH THE UNION DEPOSIT ROAD. THE NAME OF THE ROAD ALONE GIVES ONE PAUSE DOESN’T IT. ANYWAY SO YOU KNOW -THAT PHONE NUMBER LISTED ON THE POST CARD I RECEIVED WITH A NOTICE DATE OF 8/8/15 HAS BEEN DISCONNECTED. SO SOMEONE SOMEWAY MUST HAVE CAUGHT UP WITH THE SCAMMERS AND SHUT THEM DOWN.

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  7. This little postcard has an interesting feature. In the upper-right corner, it says “PRESORTED FIRST-CLASS MAIL U.S. POSTAGE PAID COMM. CENTER 33777”. I’m assuming that if I dropped this little bugger in a mailbox, it would get back to my business mailbox in a few days. If so, I’m also pretty sure that they are going to get charged 15 cents every time I do it.

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    1. Update: I have successfully mailed this card back to myself 8 times now. Hope it’s charging them every time. I have to drop off other mail about every other day anyway, so it doesn’t cost me anything extra.

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  8. I just got a similar card with the logo of scales and shaking hands. However since my business is located in Denver CO, the return address is: 1942 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80302 and the call back number is 1-855-864-9420.

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  10. I received a similar card today. Immediately I saw it, I tried to caution myself to not call the number 1-888-803-7922. They would have robbed innocent people of their money.

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  11. I just received a notice in the state of Georgia. The number listed was 1-888-803-7922, 300 Colonial Center. Roswell, GA, 30076. Same symbol as mentioned above. I’m glad I read this post first!

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  12. I received the same card on April 7, 2016
    They have an non existent address in Bethesda, MD

    Spelling Bethesesda, Mc

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