Oregon Secretary of State Kate Brown is warning Oregon
companies to be on the alert for a mailing that deceptively looks like it is
from the Oregon Corporation Division.
A
number of businesses have reported receiving an official-looking invoice
entitled, "Compliance Filings Center -- Annual Minutes Compliance Notice." The
mailing requests detailed information about the business and a $150 "Certificate
of Minutes" preparation fee. The invoice lists a return address of 4676
Commercial Street SE, #169, Salem, OR 97302.
An
example of the scam is posted on the Secretary of State
website.
Despite its appearance, this invoice was NOT sent by the
Secretary of State's Corporation Division and is not authorized by the State of
Oregon. While the invoice contains references to Oregon business law, businesses
receiving this mailing are advised that they can prepare annual minutes and
corporate records themselves without paying this fee.
Secretary of State Brown recommends carefully reading
solicitations to determine if they are actually from a government agency and
require a response. Some deceptive solicitations from private organizations are
difficult to distinguish from government correspondence at first glance. Only a
careful reading reveals a disclaimer noting that the organization is not
government affiliated.
The Oregon Business Corporations Act requirements for
Annual Meetings and Corporate Records are available on the Corporation
Division’s website at: www.FilingInOregon.com. Corporations needing legal advice on
corporate records requirements should contact a licensed
attorney.
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