News Summary
Louisiana Secretary of State Nancy Landry warns business owners about fraudulent letters from a company claiming to be ‘Business Filing, powered by Firstep.’ These letters threaten license revocation unless annual reports are filed through their platform. Landry emphasizes these letters are not official and urges recipients to disregard them. For proper filing, business owners should use the official geauxBIZ portal, where the legitimate fee for annual reports is significantly lower. The initiative aims to protect Louisiana businesses from fraud and promote awareness of official communication channels.
Baton Rouge, Louisiana – Secretary of State Nancy Landry has issued a crucial warning to business owners across Louisiana about a new wave of fraudulent letters concerning annual report filings. The suspicious correspondence appears to come from an entity claiming to be “Business Filing, powered by Firstep.” These letters threaten administrative dissolution or revocation of business licenses if the recipients do not file their annual reports through the Firstep platform by a stated deadline.
Landry emphasized that these letters do not originate from the Louisiana Secretary of State’s Commercial Division and advised business owners to dispose of them immediately. Official communications regarding annual report renewals and other filings are accessible at www.geauxBIZ.com.
For assistance, business owners can reach out directly to the Secretary of State’s Commercial Division at (225) 925-4704 or via email at commercial@sec.state.la.us. Furthermore, any valid correspondence related to business filings should either be sent through the geauxBIZ portal or printed on official Secretary of State letterhead.
Understanding the Fraudulent Letters
The fraudulent letters instruct businesses to submit their annual reports through Firstep, which charges a fee of $129 for the service. In stark contrast, filing an annual report through the Louisiana Secretary of State’s platform costs only $35. This distinction highlights the discrepancy and underscores the potential financial harm that could result from following the misleading instructions found in these letters.
Moreover, business owners are reassured that missing report deadlines does not automatically lead to administrative dissolution or revocation of their business licenses. This notion is a scare tactic employed in the fraudulent letters, aimed at inducing fear among business owners to extort money for unnecessary services.
Prevalence of Spam and Fraudulent Communications
Taking Preventative Measures
To further safeguard themselves, business owners are encouraged to subscribe to the Secretary of State’s free commercial email notification system available through the geauxBIZ portal. This proactive measure helps them stay updated on essential aspects of business management, including the filing process, office closures, and alerts about fraudulent activities.
The Secretary of State’s initiative aims to bolster communication and support for Louisiana’s business community, particularly in navigating filing obligations and recognizing fraudulent attempts that exploit unsuspecting individuals. By disseminating information about these fraudulent letters and reinforcing the proper channels for business communications, Secretary of State Nancy Landry hopes to mitigate the risk of fraud targeting Louisiana’s entrepreneurs.
As Louisiana business owners remain vigilant and informed, it is imperative that they verify all communications regarding business filings against the official channels provided by the Secretary of State’s office. This focus on transparency and awareness is vital in combating the growing concern of fraud within the state’s business environment.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- LA Illuminator: Fraudulent Letters Warning
- New Orleans City Business: Scam Warning for Louisiana Businesses
- KNOE: Beware of Fraudulent Letters
- KLFY: Eye on Scams – Annual Report Letter Scam
- Shreveport-Bossier Advocate: LLC Owners Targeted by Fraud
- Wikipedia: Fraud
- Google Search: Louisiana business scams
- Google Scholar: Fraud in Business
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Fraud
- Google News: Louisiana Business Fraud
Author: STAFF HERE NEWORLEANS WRITER
The NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewOrleans.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as French Quarter Festival, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and Essence Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce and Greater New Orleans, Inc., plus leading businesses in energy, healthcare, and education that power the local economy such as Entergy, Ochsner Health, and Tulane University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREShreveport.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.
