State officials are warning businesses about a scam in which Connecticut companies are being solicited for money.
Businesses have been receiving fake forms from “the Division of Corporate Services,” claiming they owe money for an “annual records statement.” The bogus mailing claims the payment is mandated by state law, according to state officials.
Department of Consumer Protection Commissioner Jonathan A. Harris, Secretary of the State Denise Merrill and Attorney General George Jepsen warned businesses about the scam Thursday and said an investigation is underway.
Jepsen said his office so far has received about a dozen complaints from business that have received the mailing.
“This scam attempts to collect money from companies that need to comply with a state reporting requirement,” Harris said in a statement. “There is absolutely no value in responding to this fake mailing and we urge companies to ignore it; do not send payment.”
Businesses registered in the state must file annual reports only with the Secretary of the State’s office, Merrill said, and those reports are “very minimal in nature.”
“There is no legal requirement for any business to file the minutes or bylaws that this company is offering to file in exchange for payment,” she said in a statement.
The mailings look “official” and reference a state law, but should not be taken seriously, state officials said. Fine print on the form says the sender “does not officially represent the State of Connecticut or other government entity.”
The warned business leaders to scrutinize any solicitation mailings they receive to ensure they are authentic.
Companies that receive any business filing notice they are unsure about are urged to contact the Secretary of the State’s Office at 860-509-6003 or visit Concord online for information on corporate filings, Merrill said.