Scam Alerts Page Two

Mail Scams Target Business Corporations
Scams directed at business corporations continue to be an ongoing problem, particularly in the current economic market. These scams can take the form of solicitations that appear to come from a government agency, but do not, and offer assistance in performing non-existent or non-required services.

In a press release dated June 4, the Indiana Secretary of State claimed to have tracked down the individuals behind such letters, at least those directed to Indiana corporations. The letters that purportedly came from the "Indiana Corporate Compliance Business Division" were perpetrated by two individuals, Aaron Williams of Las Vegas and Lisa Diane Brown of California. Based on the Indiana Secretary of State's investigation, in cooperation with other states whose corporations were victimized by similar scams, the Indiana Attorney General filed a complaint against Williams, Brown and their businesses. It is still not known if others are perpetrating similar scams.

If you have questions about a solicitation you receive from a government agency, please contact your Corporate Service Representative.

Compliance Annual Minutes Board Scam
Small businesses in California received official-looking forms from the Compliance Annual Minutes Board. These forms demanded an “Annual Fee” payment of $150 or warned that companies would lose corporate status. In exchange for payment, the Compliance Annual Minutes Board promised to provide corporate minutes. Instead, generic minutes were distributed.

Annual Review Board Inc., Business Filings Division and Corpfilers.com, LLC Scams
Solicitations were sent to California businesses instructing recipients to complete and return the form along with a fee or risk penalties, fines and suspension. The fees ranged from $195-$239. All documents resembled official-looking forms.

Corporate Filing Unit
A California company called Corporate Filing Unit is sending out solicitations for filing a Statement of Information or claiming your Statement of Information is late. These communications resemble invoices, but if you read it closely, it should state this company is not affiliated with any state agency.

California Business Collector A company by the name of California Business Collector (CBC) is sending out mailers asking businesses to complete a Disclosure Form of Directors and Shareholders and submit a fee. This organization is not affiliated with the State of California. The fine print on the document states that this is a solicitation and not a bill. See the sample document for more information.

Compliance Services Annual Minutes Scam in Florida
An entity called Compliance Services is requesting the completion and submittal of an Annual Minutes Requirements Statement along with payment of $125. Compliance Services is not affiliated with the State of Florida. A warning about this scam was posted on the Florida Division of Corporations Website. You can view a sample document.

Compliance Services Annual Minutes Scam in Massachusetts and California
This scam is similar to one listed above for the State of Florida. An entity called Compliance Services is requesting the completion and submittal of an Annual Minutes Requirements Statement along with payment of $125. Please note this company is not affiliated with a government agency. You can view a sample document from this scam.

If you have information about a scam, please send it to support@companyguard.com.

Corporate Filings Division and Corporate Compliance Filings, Inc. Scams
An official-looking form called the “Annual Meetings Disclosure Statement” was mailed to California businesses. This form implied that the recipient was obligated to complete and return it along with an annual fee payment of $175 or risk corporate status. Corporate minutes were promised in exchange for payment, but fictitious minutes were used instead.

See a news release from the attorney general. You can view a sample of the scam mailings or refer to the California Scam information posted above.

Mail Scams Target Business Corporations in Indiana
Scams directed at business corporations continue to be an ongoing problem, particularly in the current economic market. These scams can take the form of solicitations that appear to come from a government agency, but do not, and offer assistance in performing non-existent or non-required services.

In 2009, the Indiana Secretary of State claimed to have tracked down the individuals behind such letters, at least those directed to Indiana corporations. The letters that purportedly came from the "Indiana Corporate Compliance Business Division" were perpetrated by two individuals, Aaron Williams of Las Vegas and Lisa Diane Brown of California. Based on the Indiana Secretary of State's investigation, in cooperation with other states whose corporations were victimized by similar scams, the Indiana Attorney General filed a complaint against Williams, Brown and their businesses. It is still not known if others are perpetrating similar scams.

If you have questions about a solicitation you receive from a government agency, please contact your Corporate Service Representative. You can view a sample of the document sent by the "Indiana Corporate Compliance Company."