FTC warns operators of websites that charge for an EIN

The Federal Trade Commission reports it has sent letters to operators of websites that sell Employer Identification Number (EIN) filing and delivery services warning that some of their practices may violate the FTC Act and the Impersonation Rule, which prohibit posing as or misrepresenting affiliation with a government agency. According to the letters, these services charge consumers up to $300 per EIN even though consumers can obtain EINs for free directly from the Internal Revenue Service’s website.