It is not new that individual microentrepreneurs (MEI) are constant targets of attempts of scams over the internet, since some data such as email and telephone related to legal entities become public as soon as companies are opened. These practices, however, have intensified in recent weeks and with new clothes, may cause more confusion among inattentive or unsuspecting microentrants. Only in the first half of August, MaisMei, which helps to simplify the management and bureaucratic obligations of individual microentrepreneurs through an application, received 88 complaints of charges unknown by small managers, related to a false 3rd year.
In July 2024, the difference was even more concerning: 190 complaints, a significant increase of 442.86% compared to the same month of 2023, which registered 35 complaints.
In some of these cases, MaisMei was able to alert possible victims that they were scams before undue payments were made, but often the complaints are made after the crimes are consummated. “It is common for the person responsible for the CNPJ to be exposed to several attempts at fraud shortly after the company opened, because this process and the volume of information can be confusing at first. And in this context, many entrepreneurs begin to receive several emails, calls and messages with offers of services that you did not know of the existence or need before”, explains Mateus Vicente, co-founder and CEO of MaisMei.
The “associative taxa” scam is the most common and has recently started to circulate with some changes to confuse microentrepreneurs even more. As its name says, the “associative annual” refers to a paid amount for trade or business associations.In fact there are several of these organizations, practically one for each activity, in which the entrepreneur can associate for improvements in their business.
However, the contribution or collection of fees for associations and unions, for example, is not mandatory. That is, if you have not joined any institution or requested the service, you should not make any payment.
“It turns out that numerous microentrepreneurs have received a charge by email, stating that it is in a system a debit that usually revolves around R$15.00 to R$300.00 reais, referring to the $ UNIQUE ASSOCIATIVE (Single Payment). It is also sent a ticket to pay off this alleged debt, having this characteristics of an official document, with signatures and emblems of government agencies. This really takes the surprise of Mateus and, often, the content of the message contains judicial threats, also false. Always disregard this type of contact or collection of professional help, so seek a manager.
More recently, the term “TAXA DE CONTRIBUTION ASSISTENCIAL”, related to the same criminal practice, began to be used by scammers more frequently.
Loss “de table”
“Unfortunately, this also harms us, because in consumer protection websites and those that evaluate the reputation of companies, such as Reclame Aqui, many victims end up researching the term “MEI” when associating a company with the complaint and our name or those of other companies in the segment, which have nothing to do with the scams, appear as an” option, says the manager of MaisMei.
Mateus Vicente also says that, despite having no connection with the collection of the “Tax of Assistance Contribution” or other scams, the company adopted the posture of investigating case by case reported to be able to guide the MEIs on the risks and appropriate measures.
In late July this year, the Federal Government issued a note warning of another fraud attempt that is spreading, this being related to a false generator of MEI guides.
“A Receita Federal warns citizens about the existence of fraudulent websites that simulate the Generator Program of the Collection Document of Simples Nacional (PGMEI). These fake websites can direct users to false programs that generate documents, causing financial losses and bringing legal commitments to taxpayers.
Be sure to access the official channels to generate GMMEI documents or to access other services. The domain of access to the service must contain recipe.fazenda.gov.br at the” link, says the positioning, which also recommends the correct link for such procedure.
Among other common frauds are:
''Bolpe of the national registration of companies: Alleged charge of a CNDE (National Company Registration) in the amount of R $ 97.00, which claim to be an “annual contribution”, under the threat that if payment is not made, the “cancellation of CNPJ. The Federal Revenue does not charge any type of fee to keep the registration in the CNPJ active via e-mail. The only obligations of MEI are the monthly payment of the DAS guide and the sending of the annual billing statement (DASN) once a year.
– Domain Registration Ticket Scam: Some companies send to entrepreneurs a charge from INPI (National Institute of Industrial Property), without having requested any service, a Compensation Form, usually simulating it to be an official mandatory fee of the entity. Another strategy is the issuance of false payment slips related to the “tax of optional maintenance of brand or patent” or “payment of maintenance (or renewal) immediate” These correspond to the payment of the fee will imply the publication of the registration in a supposed “edition of trademarks and patents”, in the “send of publications of” or in other similar actions.
– DAS Guide scam discounted on the energy bill: The Coup of the DAS MEI Guide happens with the sending of a false correspondence or contact via telephone where the swindlers claim to be from the City Hall of their city and, in it, appears as sender “Simples Nacional” the only available payment is PIX for discount on the energy bill. The Attorney General of the National Treasury does not make any type of charges, partnerships with Prefectures, private companies, with discount of the payment of the DAS ' MEI tax on water, electricity or telephone bills.
Prevention tips
MaisMei listed some important tips so that the microentrepreneur does not fall into traps:
. Do not make advance payments,
Busque the official channels of service of the Federal Revenue
''Do not provide or confirm private data over the phone, as you do not know who is on the other end of the line.
ndesconfie of generous offers
Avoid putting put personal phone or email in the opening of MEI (an extra tip is to put neutral data like “999 9999-9999” or “email@email.com”).
A free tool that can also be used is the “Diagnóstico MEI”, launched by MaisMei. With this resource, the manager has access to all the real issues related to CNPJ, if any. The company also provides legal and accounting advisors to answer questions from individual microentrepreneurs.
