Medium riskGovernment & Tax

Business Registration Scam

In this scam, third-party services or official-looking letters pose as business registration, tax ID (EIN), or compliance filing authorities, charging inflated or bogus fees for filings that are free or low-cost officially.

Quick verdict

Risk level
Medium risk
Scam type
Government service impersonation
Main red flag
An official-looking demand to pay for business registration, EIN, or compliance filings.
What to do first
File only through the official government business or tax authority.

What to know first

In this scam, third-party services or official-looking letters pose as business registration, tax ID (EIN), or compliance filing authorities, charging inflated or bogus fees for filings that are free or low-cost officially.

Government and tax scams impersonate tax authorities, police, or agencies, using threats of arrest, fines, or deportation to force fast payment, often via gift cards, transfers, or crypto. Real agencies do not demand instant payment this way or threaten arrest by phone.

The core pattern to watch for is clear: An official-looking demand to pay for business registration, EIN, or compliance filings. File only through the official government business or tax authority.

Related tricks worth knowing: the Government Grant Scam and the Vital Records Scam. For the wider picture, browse the Government, Tax & Legal Scams guides or run the message through our scam checker.

Scam statistics

$2.7B
reported lost to imposter scams in the US in 2023
Source: US Federal Trade Commission
Gift cards
a top payment method scammers demand, which real agencies never use
Source: FTC Consumer Advice

Tell-tale red flags

  • Official-looking letters or sites demanding filing fees
  • Fees far above or instead of the official cost
  • Urgent 'compliance' or 'mandatory' wording
  • A service not affiliated with the government
  • Requests for business and payment details

Staying safe

  • File registrations and tax IDs through the official authority
  • Verify any notice with the official agency directly
  • Check official fees, as many filings are free or low-cost
  • Report impersonating services

How it usually reads

Example pattern, not a real report
Example pattern: 'Your business must complete mandatory registration. Pay the filing fee now to remain compliant: [non-official site or letter]'

This is a fictional, anonymised example used to illustrate the pattern. It is not a verified real message, and any names are used only to show how the scam typically reads.

What to notice: An official-looking demand to pay for business registration, EIN, or compliance filings.

Steps if you already acted

  • If you paid, dispute the charge with your bank
  • If you shared details, monitor for misuse
  • Verify your actual filing status with the official agency
  • Report the service and keep evidence

Common mistakes

  • Do not pay 'filing fees' to non-official services
  • Do not act on urgent compliance threats without verifying
  • Do not share business or payment details with unverified senders

Scams like this one

High risk Government & Tax

Government Grant Scam

This scam uses a message, call, or social media post claiming you qualify for a free government grant, then asks for a processing fee or your bank details to 'release' money that does not actually exist.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Medium risk Government & Tax

Vital Records Scam

In this scam, third-party websites pose as official vital records services for birth, marriage, or death certificates, charging inflated fees, adding hidden subscriptions, or harvesting personal data without delivering documents.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Medium risk Email

Fake Invoice Email Scam

This scam emails an invoice or receipt for something you did not buy, hoping you call a fake 'support' number or click a link to dispute it.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team

Your questions answered

Do I pay third parties to register a business or get an EIN?
Official registration and tax ID filings are done through the government authority, often free or low-cost. Third parties charging inflated fees may be scams.
The letter looked official. Is it genuine?
Official-looking letters and sites are common in these scams. Verify any notice directly with the official agency before paying.
I paid a filing fee. What now?
Dispute the charge with your bank, verify your real filing status with the official agency, monitor for misuse, and report the service.
How do I file safely?
Use the official government business or tax authority website directly, and check the official fees before paying anything.

Last reviewed June 2026 · Written & reviewed by the

Disclaimer: This page provides educational information only to help you recognise common scam patterns. It is not legal, financial, cybersecurity, or law enforcement advice, and it does not confirm whether any specific message, company, or person is genuine or fraudulent. When in doubt, contact the official organisation directly and report concerns to your local authorities.