Post by "Pop" Stran on May 5, 2005 17:30:09 GMT -5
Florida's attorney general has warned businesses to be on the alert for a scam in which they receive a solicitation for funds, supposedly from the Florida secretary of state's office.
Attorney General Charlie Crist's office said the the solicitation by the Corporate Compliance Center (CCC) requests payment of a $100 fee in accordance with Florida statutes.
Crist said the CCC is not affiliated with the secretary of state's office in any way and the government does not collect that fee.
Though his office said the CCC-cited statute does govern requirements for businesses to keep annual minutes, it added the statute does not require the minutes -- nor a $100 fee -- be submitted to any outside entity, including the secretary of state's office.
As part of the scam, businesses are asked to submit the minutes and a check made payable to CCC.
"Anyone who might question whether an agency of the government can require the payment of funds should contact that agency before writing a check," Crist said.
An investigation revealed similar acts occurred in Arizona and California in 2002.
The attorney general's office said it has launched an investigation in Florida. Any business owner who believes he or she has been a victim should call the fraud hotline, toll-free, at (866) 966-7226.
Attorney General Charlie Crist's office said the the solicitation by the Corporate Compliance Center (CCC) requests payment of a $100 fee in accordance with Florida statutes.
Crist said the CCC is not affiliated with the secretary of state's office in any way and the government does not collect that fee.
Though his office said the CCC-cited statute does govern requirements for businesses to keep annual minutes, it added the statute does not require the minutes -- nor a $100 fee -- be submitted to any outside entity, including the secretary of state's office.
As part of the scam, businesses are asked to submit the minutes and a check made payable to CCC.
"Anyone who might question whether an agency of the government can require the payment of funds should contact that agency before writing a check," Crist said.
An investigation revealed similar acts occurred in Arizona and California in 2002.
The attorney general's office said it has launched an investigation in Florida. Any business owner who believes he or she has been a victim should call the fraud hotline, toll-free, at (866) 966-7226.