Corporate Minutes Services

~ Some mailings can be deceptive or misleading and in some cases illegal. It is not uncommon for individuals to receive solicitations that look like invoices or that is made to appear like government notices.

~ Be aware it is illegal for anyone to mail a solicitation in the form of an invoice bill or statement of account due unless it conspicuously bears a notice on its face that it is in fact merely a solicitation. This disclaimer must state “This is a solicitation for the order of goods or services or both and not a bill invoice or statement of account due. You are under no obligation to make any payments on account of this offer unless you accept this offer” or “THIS IS NOT A BILL. THIS IS A SOLICITATION. YOU ARE UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO PAY THE AMOUNT STATED ABOVE UNLESS YOU ACCEPT THIS OFFER.” The statement must be in very large (at least 30-point) type and must be in boldface capital letters in a color that contrasts prominently with the background against which it appears.

~ In addition mailings that appear to be from the government are not allowed unless the entity actually has a government connection endorsement or approval; it bears a notice that disclaims its authorized by the government agency; or the mailing is contained in a publication purchased or requested by the addressee.   

~ Oftentimes these solicitations are sent with the hopes that an unsuspecting recipient will pay the invoice. If you receive a mailing that looks like a bill carefully review it to make sure it is actually an invoice for services or goods you authorized. If you own a business alert your billing or accounting department or whoever is responsible for paying invoiced to be on the lookout for invoices from unfamiliar vendors or organizations. Verify all invoices before paying them.

~ If you are uncertain about a mailing that appears to be from a government agency carefully read the material inside the envelope. If the mailer is not being totally deceptive it should become clear whether the mailing is a deceptive government look-alike mailing from a private organization not connected with any government agency or program.

~ If you have received solicitations of this type you can file a complaint with Business Consumer Alliance and also contact the US Postal Inspector to investigate.