If you are a business owner in Florida, especially one managing commercial insurance, compliance, or multiple business entities, you may start receiving emails about your upcoming Florida Annual Report filing. Some of these messages appear very official and reference the Florida Department of State or SunBiz. Here is the important reminder.
These emails are not from SunBiz directly. Many are sent by third party companies that charge additional service fees. Others are phishing attempts created to collect sensitive business information or payment details from Florida businesses.
As a Florida business owner, staying protected goes beyond maintaining the right commercial insurance. It also requires a heightened level of awareness around digital risks and fraudulent filing notices.
The only legitimate source for Florida Annual Report filings is SunBiz.gov, the official Florida Department of State website. Anything else should be approached with healthy caution.
A culture of smart and safe digital habits is now part of running a business. These are five cyber awareness habits every Florida business owner can practice.
1. Verify the sender before clicking anything.
Official notices originate from SunBiz.org. Scammers frequently use similar or confusing domains to trick business owners in Florida.
2. Avoid clicking links in unexpected emails.
Type SunBiz.gov directly into your browser. If your business has an annual report due, you will be able to see it there without relying on an email prompt.
3. Slow down when an email uses urgency or pressure tactics.
Many phishing attempts aimed at Florida companies focus on deadlines, fees, and warnings about dissolution. Pause and confirm before taking action.
4. Protect your business information with the same care you use for commercial insurance documents.
Do not enter your EIN, payment information, or ownership details unless you have validated the source independently. Florida businesses are a common target for data harvesting scams.
5. Encourage a company culture of trust but verify.
Empower your team to question anything that looks suspicious and escalate concerns. Cyber awareness is now a key part of business risk management.
Why This Matters for Florida Business Owners and Commercial Insurance Policyholders
Fraudulent filings and phishing emails can lead to identity theft, unauthorized changes to your business record, financial loss, and coverage complications. One wrong click can create long term issues across your property, liability, and commercial insurance policies.
Before clicking any link or submitting payment, confirm directly on SunBiz.gov or reach out to a trusted advisor or CPA.
A few seconds of caution can prevent significant financial and operational problems.