🚨 Scammers Are Targeting LLC Owners Due to the FinCEN Debacle – Beware!
If you’re a small business owner who recently received an alarming email about needing to file with FinCEN or “clear your terminated LLC,” you’re not alone. These messages are flooding inboxes across the country—and most of them are phishing scams.
But here’s the real kicker: U.S. companies are no longer required to file beneficial ownership reports under the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA). A major rule change by FinCEN just made that official.
Here’s what’s changed—and why scammers are still using the chaos to their advantage.
🔔 Breaking News: FinCEN Removes BOI Filing for U.S. Companies
On March 21, 2025, FinCEN released an interim final rule that eliminates the BOI reporting requirement for U.S.-based businesses and their owners.
Key takeaways:
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Domestic LLCs, corporations, and similar U.S. entities are now exempt from BOI filing requirements.
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Only foreign companies doing business in the U.S. must now file, and even those do not need to report U.S. persons as beneficial owners.
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Deadlines for foreign companies vary:
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If registered before the March 2025 rule: 30 days from rule publication.
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If registered after the rule: 30 days from the effective date of their registration.
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FinCEN is currently accepting public comments and intends to finalize this rule later this year.
📖 Read the official FinCEN release here
🛑 But the Scams Haven’t Stopped
Despite the rule change, many small business owners are still getting:
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Emails saying their BOI filing is incomplete
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Notices claiming their dissolved LLC still requires a filing
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Threats of penalties if they don’t “finish their report”
⚠️ These are often phishing scams. The scammers are relying on outdated headlines and confusion from earlier in the year.
Do not click on links from unknown sources or share business ownership info without verifying the request.
✔️ What You Should Do Right Now
✅ DO:
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Confirm you are a U.S.-formed business—if so, no action is required
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Ignore unsolicited BOI filing messages unless verified
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If you’re a foreign entity, consult legal or tax counsel for the proper steps
🚫 DON’T:
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Click on any FinCEN-sounding links from unfamiliar sources
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Assume every filing-related email is valid just because it sounds urgent
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Share your EIN, SSN, or entity info with third parties unless you initiated the contact
⚠️ BIG DISCLAIMER (PLEASE READ)
This blog post is based on current guidance as of April 2025. FinCEN’s regulations may change, and this blog may become outdated, suddenly, and without notice. By the time you read this blog, the Filing Requirements could be totally different. Before acting on any information here, verify the latest updates at FinCEN.gov or consult your trusted CPA or legal advisor.
📣 Final Thought
The good news: if your company was formed in the U.S., you’re currently in the clear on BOI reporting. The bad news: scammers are exploiting the confusion. Stay sharp. Stay skeptical.
👉 Need to create a Series LLC or incorporate your LLC into your Estate Plan, then schedule a call with our legal team today:
bit.ly/consultalawyer (we can help create LLCs and Series LLCs, but we don’t advise on LLC operations and we do not offer consultations regarding your LLC filing requirements).
This blog is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult a qualified attorney or CPA for guidance specific to your business. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but regulatory environment may change suddenly and without notice and we will not be updating this blog, so this information could be stale or even wrong.
