TDCI: Avoid Companies Charging For Free or Nearly Free Services
NASHVILLE – Does paying $149 to file paperwork for an uncontested divorce seem pricey? How about $150 to obtain a certificate of existence for a business? Those might seem reasonable but, in fact, those services and many others are actually available free of charge or at minimal cost through governmental agencies.
The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance’s (TDCI) Consumer Affairs Division reminds citizens to be aware of companies trying to charge a costly fee to obtain or file simple paperwork that’s either free or available at a very low price. Consumers should do their homework first.
“Consumers should be wary of private companies angling to charge high prices for relatively inexpensive government services,” said DCI Deputy Commissioner Bill Giannini. “Not only can the fees prove to be costly and increase the risk of identity theft, but in some cases unofficial paperwork forms may be rejected by government agencies when filed.”
Here’s a roundup of how some companies are attempting to take advantage of consumers:
- Companies attempt to scam consumers by sending official-looking letters offering to obtain business filings, corporate certificates of good standing and certified copies of deeds for homeowners. While the paperwork looks official, it isn’t. Instead, these solicitations would charge consumers upwards of $150 and, in some cases, ask the consumer to provide credit card and other personal information. New legislation approved in March will help prevent these types of businesses from taking advantage of Tennessee consumers. The legislation will require such notices to include a disclaimer letting the consumer know that the services advertised are available free of charge or for a lesser price and that the company is not affiliated with a governmental entity.
- The state also cautions about websites that offer to find you a job or file an unemployment claim for you for a price. Officials want to ensure consumers are aware that you don’t have to pay to file unemployment. Not only do you spend hard-earned money, but you could run the risk of your personal information falling into the hands of a scammer.
“When Governor Haslam created Jobs4TN.gov he wanted it to be a free and easy website to navigate, “ said Department of Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner Burns Phillips. “You can now handle all your unemployment needs on the site, at no cost. People who are out of work can file their unemployment claim on Jobs4TN.gov and then use the site to find a new career.”
TDCI has recently been made aware of a company called Divorce Writer that is charging consumers for no-contest divorce forms that are virtually identical to the free Supreme Court approved divorce forms on the Tennessee State Courts website, www.tncourts.gov. At least one Hamblen County consumer had her divorce paperwork rejected because the form was not acceptable to the Hamblen County Clerk & Master. (Luckily, the consumer was given a refund.)
TDCI and its partners will continue to make the public aware of these deceptive business practices through consumer alerts and outreach efforts. Tennesseans are encouraged to utilize the following resources to avoid misleading advertisements:
###