Oregon bans Fla. biz behind scam ‘state’ mailings
Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum and Secretary of State Kate Brown announced a settlement Monday that will protect Oregon businesses from a deceptive mailing that appears to be from the state — but isn’t.
Under the settlement filed in Marion County Circuit Court, Annual Business Services, a company operating out of Florida, will immediately stop sending Oregon businesses a mailing that offers an unnecessary service.In addition, companies victimized by the scam will be reimbursed under the settlement.
“Deceptive marking practices from an out-of-state company that disguise themselves as official notices from the state of Oregon will not be tolerated,” Rosenblum said. “The secretary of state and I are taking a strong stand to stop these fraudulent companies from confusing Oregon businesses.”
“Protecting Oregon businesses from predatory scammers is a top priority,” said Brown, who oversees the Oregon Corporation Division, which licenses businesses. “I’m very pleased with the Department of Justice’s resolution of this case.”
Oregon corporations who were victimized by the scam received a questionable solicitation entitled “2014-Annual Minutes Form.” This form can be easily mistaken for correspondence from the state of Oregon.
Although corporations are required to maintain annual minutes, they are not required to file these with the Secretary of State Corporation Division.
Even though the company is located in Florida, the solicitation lists a return address of 4676 Commercial St. SE, #437, Salem, OR 97302. The address has contributed to the mistaken belief that the mailing is official correspondence from the state of Oregon.
Despite its appearance, the Annual Records Solicitation Form solicitation was not sent by the Secretary of State Corporation Division, and is neither authorized nor sanctioned in any way by the state of Oregon.
Official business correspondence from the Secretary of State Corporation Division always contains these elements:
1. An image of the Oregon state seal.
2. The words “Secretary of State Corporation Division.”
3. The phone number, 503-986-2200.
If you believe you have been victimized by this company, please contact the Oregon Department of Justice online at www.oregonconsumer.gov or call the company at 1-855-246-8622 and request a full refund.
