1. Who exactly am I paying?
Ask for the provider’s business identity, contact details, a written scope of work, and an invoice. Check details independently. A social media following or screenshot of a certificate should not be your only evidence.
2. What does the quote actually include?
Separate the service fee from state fees and third-party charges. Ask whether EIN assistance, registered agent renewal, address services, phone, email, and ongoing work are included or billed separately. Get the next year’s costs in writing.
3. What documents will I receive?
Request a deliverables list and the expected order of the work. Ask how you will verify state registration and receive your official records. Do not accept a promise of “everything” in place of an itemized scope.
4. Who controls my accounts?
Discuss whose email, phone, and recovery details will be used. Keep control of your own business accounts. Never share one-time security codes with an unexpected caller or let someone impersonate you during verification.
5. What happens if an application is declined?
Ask how refunds, additional work, and third-party decisions are handled before paying. Treat blanket promises of guaranteed banking or seller approval as a reason to ask for evidence and precise written terms.
6. Is this payment request genuine?
Unexpected official-looking demands deserve a separate check. The FTC warns that scammers send fake government notices to business owners. Contact the actual authority through its official website, rather than using the number on the notice.
7. Can I take time to verify?
Pause if you are pressured to pay before reading the scope or checking the provider. Save messages, invoices, and receipts. A warning sign is a reason to investigate; it is not, by itself, proof that someone committed fraud.
Official sources
Check the issuing authority for current requirements before you act.