Contact 6 Consumer Alert: Scam targeting business owners comes in mail

MILWAUKEE -- FOX6's Contact 6 is issuing an alert about a scam targeting business owners that starts with a simple letter.

Suzanne Mullen, a small business owner, got a letter in the mail asking for her business license renewal fee. Then, she remembered a warning she'd heard.

"There were a lot of scams regarding the renewals for the LLC`s - to watch out for that. I wouldn`t be getting anything in the mail," Mullen said.

The letter was a scam that billed more than $10 million from thousands of victims. Postal inspectors started tracking the case after thousands of complaints.

"This mailing had no numbers, email addresses and no website. There was no way to contact other than mailing your money to the post office," U.S. Postal Inspector Wynter Kugel said.

Inspectors say it is important to read the fine print.

"On the form - there was tiny writing that said 'This is not a bill.' I think read the fine print and really go over it before you write a check," Mullen said.

Postal inspectors found the guy that was sending the letters and say they've taken steps to stop the mailings. They're also considering taking the man to court to try to get money back for any business owners who fell for the scam.

CLICK HERE to file a complaint with FOX6's Contact 6.