They send out a bill like looking notice for the amount of $275 on the same type of paper and a return envelope (off-white with Assessor's ID squares) used by government offices. The bill has all of your business's information, including permit number, and a due date of NOW DUE. Up at the top it has a big pink rectangle with big bold letters:
FINAL NOTICE, Failure to comply with 2012 Compliance requirements may lead to government fines and/or audits
That "FINAL NOTICE' is what made me wonder and read in detail because it was the first time I saw this bill. I read the entire bill on both sides and I found a section in small letters but all caps that reads; "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. This product or service has not been approved or endorsed by any government agency. AND THIS OFFER IS NOT BEING MADE BY AN AGENCY OF THE GOVERNMENT."
If it weren't for me catching this I most likely would have paid it!!!
And of course it also helped when I found this website and saw that someone else almost fell for it too.
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