Randy Hutchinson with the Better Business Bureau of the Mid-South spoke with ABC 24 Wednesday about the alert.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A warning now for Mid-South organizations, including churches and businesses. If you get an official-looking notice that claims you need to pay to get a ‘Tennessee Certificate of Existence’ – don’t believe it.
The Tennessee Secretary of State said it’s a scam. Secretary of State Tre Hargett first issued the warning to business owners across Tennessee last year, and it’s popping back up.
Randy Hutchinson with the Better Business Bureau of the Mid-South spoke with ABC 24 Wednesday about the alert.
What is the scam?
In a news release last year, Hargett said the fake mailer comes from what appears to be a Nashville company that goes by two names: “Tennessee Certificate Service” and “TN Certificate of Existence Filing Company.”
The misleading mailer is titled “2021 Certificate of Existence Request” and claims all Tennessee businesses are required to pay a fee of either $83.00 or $175.50 for this third-party company to step in and complete the Certificate of Existence paperwork on their behalf.
