Just like the Corporate Compliance Fraud in Ohio, Compliance Services is also targeting companies in Georgia, Florida and Massachusetts.
The Daily Citizen is reporting Georgia corporations warned about solicitations. The Georgia Secretary of State issued a warning:
“Several corporations registered with the Corporations Division of the Office of the Secretary of State received a letter from Georgia Corporate Compliance, a private company offering to complete corporation meeting minutes on behalf of registered corporations.”
The Attorney General of Florida also issued a warning:
Over the past several months, the Attorney General’s Office has received numerous complaints against several of these companies. Last week the Attorney General settled a lawsuit against one such company, Corporate Compliance Center, over allegations that the company misled Florida businesses relating to the sale of corporate minutes reports. Two other companies, Corporate Minutes Compliance Service and Corporate Minute Services, were prevented from operating in Florida when the Attorney General’s Office threatened litigation.
Bill Galvin, the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts issued his warning:
Recently, an entity calling itself “Compliance Services” mailed solicitations entitled “Annual Minutes Requirement Statement Directors and Shareholders” to numerous Massachusetts corporations. This solicitation offers to complete corporate meeting minutes on behalf of the corporation for a fee. Despite the implications contained in the solicitation, Massachusetts corporations are not required by law to file corporate minutes with the Secretary of State.
Thanks to Corporate Compliance Insights: Compliance Scam Alert in Georgia: Corporate Minutes Hoax Not Limited to Ohio.
See also:
- Fraud announcement from the Georgia Secretary of State
- Crist: Businesses Should Be Wary of Out-of-State Compliance Notices
- Notice regarding “Compliance Services” Solicitation from the Massachusetts Secretary of State
I think this is the right decision taken by Attorney General of Florida .
I just received this same letter this week. When I googled the name of this company, I appreciate the fraud alert. Suggestion: Why doesn’t the FBI get involved and arrest these people by waiting for them at the PO Box location? I can only imagine how many people, that don’t know any better, have sent the $125.oo check to insure they don’t get in trouble with Tallahassee.
Be aware\. This scam is still happening. I just got my letter and fell for it until a friend informed me of the scam. In will be filing a complaint. Why can’t someone go to the Post Office, catch who is checking the mail and put their ass away and all those helping them??
I agree. They know the FBI won’t do anything so that is why I just received one this week.The FBI has to pick their battles and this isn’t one of them. The front of the envelope says in CAPS “THIS IS NOT A GOVERNMENT DOCUMENT” and in the form it say in CAPS ” THIS PRODUCT HAS NOT BEEN APPROVED OR ENDORSED BY ANY GOVERNMENT AGENCY AND THIS OFFER IS NOT BEING MADE BY AN AGENCY OF THE GOVERNMENT. This is one of the reasons why they get away with it. There are a lot of new and inventive ways to scam the public. What’s the name of this company? Who is the registered agent? Can’t be a post office box…
I just received one, today. I had to google it after studying it for a while. I appreciate the fraud alert. Thank you.
I googled these clowns today as well, and thank
goodness you guys offered your insight on this.
Fortunately my procrastination paid off on this one
was intending to send the money in because I thought
it was from a legitmate state agency, but after going
over the form about 4 times it finally dawned on me
that it was probably not. (they even went so far as
to name the form). Thanks for sharing!!!
It’s me again. I posted the first time on April 27th. I just wanted to let you know that I put a stop payment on my check. Today, I received a document in the mail from these people again (Tallahassee address) stating that they were providing me with “An Official” document of filing! HA! Can you believe that? I know they had to receive the returned check stanped “PAYMENT STOPPED” and they still had the guts to send me the “Offical” document. Wow, I didn’t even pay for it. I think I’m going to send them a nice little e-mail to the address they provided since they do not list a phone number.
I received this letter from “Compliance Services” (aka SCAM artists) in Tallahassee as well soon after renewing my corporate annual filing (in March) – I ALMOST fell for it too but decided I had time to looking into it since the “DEADLINE” was 3 weeks out. The main question in my mind is sunbiz.org has never requested additional money or shareholder/officer information once I renewed in the last 4 years -so it didn;t seem right.
I sent sunbiz.org an email after realizing all appeared A-OK with my filing status. I filed a mail fraudulent complaint with the US Postal service & suggest you all do too -link below:
https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/forms/MailFraudComplaint.aspx
I received this letter last week and almost made the mistake of sending the check without googling this company. well, here I am, Saved….
THank you for whomever thought of starting to post this on the net. You save me $125 and a lot of aggrivation.
I hope the people of Compliance Services located at 400 Capital circle SE, PO Box 18321, Tallahasse, FL 32301 go to jail soon for mail fraud. I will turn it in to the post master today.
I just received the same letter! I thought it was weird since I never had to do this before. So I am glad I checked. I thought it was bogus! These people should be locked up!
Just received from Compliance Services, 400 Capital Cir SE, PO 18321, Tallahassee, FL 32301 a form for all businesses giving required information….AND A CHECK FOR $125.00!! Thanks to checking this out first on the Internet, I was saved from a SCAM!
I just received the same letter from the same company! Requesting the $125! I am so glad that I googled the company before I was scammed too! THANK YOU for posting that this was indeed a SCAM!
Thanks for this warning alert. I just recieved one of these letters asking for $125.00 by 6/11/10 to be compliant. I had just asked my CPA about this letter. We were both skeptical. It reminds me of the Yellow Page listing scams that are running around the country as well.
Thanks again !
This fraud is still continuing. Our corporate office located in South Carolina just received a letter today from Compliance Services. I, too googled the name. Thank you for the alert.
The letter I just received was for the “annual Minutes requirement statement and $125 sent to Compliance Services 400 Capital Cir SE Postal Mailbox 18321 Tallahassee, FL 32301
The letter I just received was for the “annual Minutes requirement statement and $125 sent to Compliance Services 400 Capital Cir SE Postal Mailbox 18321 Tallahassee, FL 32301 I HAVE NEVER SEEN SUCH A LETTER AND HAVE HAD CORPORATIONS FOR YEARS WHY This fraud is still continuing. Why doesn’t the FBI get involved and arrest these people by waiting for them at the PO Box location? I can only imagine how many people, that don’t know any better, have sent the $125.oo check to insure they don’t get in trouble with Tallahassee. OR EVEN BETTER YET ANYONE THAT HAS SENT A LETTER HAVE TALLAHASSEE LOOK AT THE BACK OF THE CHECK AND SEE WHERE THE CHECK CLEAR THE BANK.
I just received a letter from Compliance Services, same address as noted in previous reply. Apparently this company is not deterred. But, as long as they don’t get any pressure from law enforcement, they’ll continue to prey on unsuspecting businesses…getting as many checks for $125 as possible until they’re forced to shut down or pack up shop and move elsewhere. Thank God for Google and fraud alerts for those who think to research a little further before stroking a check.
Clearly a scan once you take the time to research it a little. The line that should raise a flag is ‘This product has not been approved or endorsed by any government agency and this offer is not being made by an agency or of the government.” The problem is that nowhere in the material does it actually talk about or describe a product. The entire document is deceptively positioned like a report or form that must be filled. Anyone touched by this should file a complaint with their respective state Attorney General. Here’s the link for the FL AG page. http://myfloridalegal.com/contact
I’m doing the bills, right? I never write a check anymore, don’t have to. But when I do have to, why? Why can’t I just pay on-line, but I need a phone number to tie to the account. Well if you look closely, there isn’t one. Nor is there a web address to view the company, only an email address for any questions. After I researched the name, I saw the fraud alerts and knew immediately what I had. I agree with everyone on here that the FBI needs to step in and sting these guys big time. I’ve been scammed once, I hope to NEVER have to go thru it again. Thanks for the FL AG page, I’ve filed the complaint.
Why not call the owner of the company at his house and harrass him. I am a PI and found his info: He has a lot to say for himself. Real asshole
Danny J Phillips
Information deleted by Doug
Tried to call Phillips’s home—# disconnected. Received same letter today—Jun2 2, 2010
These letters have your CORPORTION NUMBER and NAME correctly attached to them – shred them.
Cut their balls off!
Received the letter May 25th, they must still be trying to get their $125 through deception and intimidation. Don’t Pay!
this is bulshit, and these people should be held in fraud!!!beware all small business owners….
We just received a letter from Compliance Services – very deceptive. Glad for this alert.
Compliances services in Fla can get away with their fraud because they do state the form is not a government document. They also state you can use their services if you want or not. I can only guess they will send you copies of what you send them so they can say they do provide a service for the money. On the other hand they try to make it read like you have to send them $125.00 and fill out the form. They also have a Tallahassee address. This is a scam big time but it looks legal. They think they have covered their asses but I think they may have outsmarted theirselves
thank you so much for the alert.my husband thought this was something that I forgot to pay.didn’t think the front looked right when it is a pre-printed stamp like on bulk mail. these people have some balls.
my husband suggested that I fill out the from with fake info and send them monopoly money. wonder how they would feel if we all did this.different when the shoe is on the other foot.
again, thanks you saved me my hard earned money.
Just got one myself 6-9-10. Thank you all for getting this posted, was about to send the check.
Received the same letter today… what do I do with this fraudulent letter sent via US postal from COMPLIANCE SERVICES with a PO BOX # 18321 at 400 Capital Cir SE in Tallahassee Florida???
GARBAGE…. this is what it is, GARBAGE thanks for been here!!
We just received the same letter and because I am very sceptical of anyone I never heard of before wanting money,I checked them out.This truly needs to be addressed on a larger scale.
I just recieved one and I live in Florida. Who do we report to
We have received forms for “Annual Minutes Requirement Statement” from Compliance Services for both of our NC corporations located in Boone. One really needs to look at these twice to figure out that they’re bogus because they really look “official”! Thanks for the fraud alert.
I also received a form for “Annual Minutes Requirement Statement” from Compliance Services for our NC Corp. I had to reread it several times, it looks official, but something about it didn’t seem quite right. Thank you for your fraud alert!
Well, they almost got me. I sent the check but thought, “Compliance Services” by itself seemed a bit strange, so I wrote “Compliance Services (State of FL)” as the payee. They actually sent me a letter which said that they weren’t affiliated with any state, and that I re-send the check made out correctly! Of course there was a return envelope to a PO Box in Tallahassee for my convenience. Brass ones these guys have, making two attempts on the same company…
Also received my letter from Compliance Services in Florida, and i had to look at it several times, then go online to do some researching. Glad i did, so many companies trying to give it to the small companies. Giant Brass Ones There.
I have 2 letters from them requesting payment of $125. My questions is why can’t this be stopped? I think I’ll mail them something
Just received a letter, too. Supposedly I am require to reply by September 21 and sending a check of $125. How is that possible? Why noone can stop fraud like this?
I just received a letter also and said I had till Sept. 21 to get the minutes to them along with a check for $125. I wrote an e-mail to my accountant and he informed me that it was a scam. I’m glad I told him about it. I wonder how many people they did trick into giving them money? There has to be a way to stop such theives.
I just completed the form I received from “Compliance Services”….my 6th sense told me to check it out…With most of us on limited income from business slow down, the $125 fee requested would have been sorely missed! Thanks for the head’s up!Maybe a news broadcast would help thoes who are not as suspicious as some!
I just received a letter from Compliance Services to send the $125 for preparation of documents to saytisfy the annual minutes requirement for our corporation. Intuition made me do my due diligence on the internet only to find out this is a scam. Why can’t this be stopped? The address on the return envelope is:
Compliance Services, 400 Capital Cir SE, Postal Mail Box 18321, Tallahassee, FL 32301.
Joyce -
State regulators are going after the scammers. I recommend that you file a complaint with your state attorney general.
As with any crime, you can’t stop them from committing the act. You can only punish them after the act.
I too was duped by these scam artists.
My feeling is to go to the post office in
Tallahassee, camp out & wait for whom ever is picking up the mail at BOX # 18321. Surely, the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT has
connections to the Post Office(HELLO)!!!!!
IT WOULD SEEM UNCLE SAM COULD TRACE THE HOLDER OF THIS
P.O. BOX , & go straight to there OPERATING HEADQUARTERS.
This sucks. None of us will ever see this $$ again.
Actually, I thought this was pretty clever. If you didn’t read the form and find out it’s not from the government, then surely the $125 fee would get your attention and make you look and see what it’s for. In my opinion, anyone who doesn’t do due diligence and gets scammed deserves it. What, we need the government to protect us against our own ignorance and lack of paying attention to details? That would be a full-time job…
Thank you so much for publishing this and help preventing these people from making money so easily. We definitely need to understand what we’re paying for before sending any money, and the internet and comments likes this are extremely helpful!!
Compliance Services
400 Capital Cir SE
Postal Mail Box 18321
Tallahasse, Fl 32301
P09000037139
Just received the same infromation from them. Email:corpcomplaincefl@corpsrvc.com
So I wrote the company a nasty gram and sent it to them in their “prepaid postage” envelope. Seems they should spend some of that money they scammed! Everyone should use the return envelopes, even if you mail it empty!!!
Correction – not a prepaid postage envelopes. Damn… that would’ve been a great idea. Seems I’ll pay the postage to send them my nasty gram.
If EVERYONE mails back a letter (or 10) with NO POSTAGE on it, they will have to pay for the postage just to recieve the letter, they will think it’s a check for $125.00 but when they open the letter it will have a nice little FU message inside instead! That’s what I’m gonna do anyway!
I just mailed back their envelope with the words Return to Sender FRAUD written in big red marker and the other envelope also both with NO POSTAGE. Some one should wait for them at their P.O. Box!
I’m going a bit further – I’ve contacted the state attorney generals office, I’ve left them 19 messages, I’ve contacted several newspapers and I’ve started my own youtube channel devoted to ridding the planet of these fraudsters.
Corporate Compliance Center of Sacramento will NOT be in business in 6 months. I’m also planning a picket in front of their corporate headquarters
I contacted the Attorney General’s office here in FL. They had me FAX the documents to them. Then I copied the documents (kept the originals for my files) and mailed the copies back with a not to “Have A Nice Day!” I did not put postage on the envelope. Let the USPS go after them for the cost of the stamp.
I received this letter and I am glad I researched online.
These indiviuals should be arrested, there is no excuse in trying to scam small corporations!
Hope the FBI gets involved and arrest these individuals.
John P.
COMPLIANCE SERVICES
TALLAHASSEE
18321
I RECIEVED THIS FORM A COUPLE A WEEK AGO AND HAVE TILL WEDNESDAY TO SEND IT BACK WITH THE $125 FEE, I WAS JUST ABOUT TO SEND A CHECK, BUT SOMETHING DID NOT ADD UP WHEN YOU READ THE LETTER OVER AGAIN. CHEEKY SODS
WELLL GUESS I GOT TAKEN TO THE CLEANERS,,GOT THE LETTER AND THOUGHT IT WAS FROM THE STATE, SO SENT THE MONEY AND KNOW GET A NOTICE FROM MY ACCTT THAT I OWE THE 150$,,SO LIVE AND LEARN I GUESS DONT KNOW WHAT COULD DO ABOUT IT…ROY
I just received the same letter to pay $125. I never saw before payment like that. Why FBI does not take care of this case. Many people probobly pay..They still money form hard working peolple sapecialy at this time, when is no jobs.
John
05/04/10 I received the letter from Corporate Compliance and also decided to Google the name and found it is a fraud..
Sebastian, Florida
i receive a letter compliance serv. 44 capital cir.se po box 18321 Tallahassee 32301,and i call sunbiz to follow up .They told me that was not them. that i was current.
I could call attorney General . Those scamers should be porsued to the full extend of the law and some..
Take care with this thieves:
Compliance Services
400 Capital Cir SE
Postal Mail Box 18321
Tallahasse, Fl 32301
corpcomplaincefl@corpsrvc.com
I just received the same information from them, to pay $125. I never saw before payment like that. Why FBI does not take care of this case. Many people probobly pay them, Please! we have to do something! we are in difficult times now and we cannot allow that unscrupulous people take advantage others that are working honestly.
Cleo.
Good thing I checked. Thought it was weird that I had never received this before and the form said ‘ not endoresed by any government agency’
Just got their letter from Tallahassee…looks very official.
I have filed official complaints with the Dept of State of Florida and written a complaint letter to the State Attorney General for action to be taken. We do not need these scammers.
Got one of these on May 15. You really have to wonder how much money these thieves have made off of their mailings. I am filing complaints in the morning.
i just received a letter of compliance wanting me to send $125.
i check it out and was very happy to find out this is fraud thank you.
I just got this scam in the mail. I am glad I checked the web.
If somebody can give me the address on the PO BOX
I will go to Tallahassee and wait with a baseball stick
to see who picks the mail up.
Their address is 400 Capital Circle S. E., PO Box 18321, Tallahassee, FL 32301.
I RECIEVED THE SAME LETTER A COUPLE A WEEK AGO AND HAVE TILL MONDAY TO SEND IT BACK WITH THE $125 FEE, I WAS JUST ABOUT TO SEND A CHECK, PUT IT IN THE ENVELOPE AND SEALED IT WITH A STAMP BUT SOMETHING DID NOT ADD UP WHEN YOU READ THE LETTER OVER AGAIN SO I WENT ONLINE AND THIS WHAT POPS UP THANK YOU GUYS FOR POSTING THIS UP.
Hello. I received a green envelope in the mail today from Compliance Services, 400 Capital Cir SE, Postal Mail Box 18321, Tallahassee, FL 32301. They wanted me to pay $125 and fill out a form called Annual Minutes Requirement Statement Directors and Shareholders. I immediately Googled the company and found this website. Thank you for this information. I hope others do not lose their money or worse yet, lose their identity.
THANK YOU ALL. They almost got me too.
I just received my green envelope from Compliance Services of Tallahassee today. It looked suspicious so I googled the company before I called my accountant. Glad I did. Thank you for posting this fraud warning. We need to get a law passed to stop this type of fraud.
The real question to be asked: With government gorwing is size by the second, why is there no one in the Attorney General’s Office filing an action against this piece of human debris?
The mere fact that Florida allows this to continue speaks volumes on why scammers flourish in the Sunshine State.
I almost got fooled too. This scam has been going on for 2+ years in many other states and our law enforcement will do nothing to stop it. All they would have to do is stake out the boxes and coordinate a massive arrest. Our gov is worthless about protecting us yet they give themselves big salaries and pensions. This is a scam that should not be running. Period.
I was just about to write a check and post it return receipt requested (it had to be sent in by June 2) when I remembered I filed my yearly with Florida as I do every year. I did not remember ever filing out the form from Compliance Services. I mentioned it to my wife and she told me about someone she knew who fell for this scam. I then came to this website and read up on it. Spread the word and thanks for looking out.
I just took over books for our corp. roughly a year ago and just recieved this in the mail. I asked former book keeper if he ever filled this out and he said he never seen it. Thanks for the info, these people should face criminal charges. I went as far as filling the form out and when I noticed they wanted $125.00 I became skeptical. Thanks, again
I received a letter dated May 12, 2010 asking for a reply by June 9, 2010 with $125. Lots of red flags went up on this similar to other posters on this site. We have had our corporation since 2003 and have never received anything like this. I called Tallahassee yesterday and was told it was fraudulent. I have contacted 3 local television statements and stressed the urgency of telling the public about this situation. This documents appears legitimate and business owners will not want to take a chance on not being compliant with the State of Florida. “Compliance Services” is making a killing off this fraud and somehow it needs to stop. It shouldn’t matter that they cover their butts with the non-government agency jargon. The Attorney General needs to do something NOW.
I just received the same letter to pay $125 payable to compliance service by June 10/2010. It’s the Florida Business Corporations Act Chapter 607.21601(1). This letter from Tallahassee FL looks very official… WHAT IS GOING ON GUYS , THIS IS WHAT THE FBI NEED TI GET INVOLVE IN.. THIS MUST BE AN INSIDE JOB , IT LOOKS TOO GOOD, LUCKLY I CAME OM GOOGLE AND SAW ALL YOUR COMMENT BECAUSE I WOULD LOOSE $125.00 OF WHAT I DO NOT HAVE IN THE FIRST PLACE , I JUST CAME ON TO LOOK FOR THE # TO CALL THEM TO FIND OUT WHAT THE MONEY IS FOR BECAUSE IF YOU NOTICE THERE IS NO NUMBER IN LETTER FOR THEM.. I HOPE THESE GYUS GET CAUGHT ….
Just got the same letter. These guys deserve to die. No really die. This is an act or terrorism. They should be treated like terrorists and put to death. A slow painful death.
Just my opinion anyway.
We just got this letter yesterday. I filled out the form last night, but something just didn’t seem right, since I didn’t remember ever having to fill one out before. Fortunately, sending a check to Compliance Services just didn’t ring true, so before I wrote a check, I decided to google them. Thanks for all who have posted…saved us $125!!
June 8th.Bradenton Fl. Just got the same letter from Compliance Services
Just received mine in the mail.
Found some potassium cyanide out in the warehouse … I will be including it with my check. Recommend everyone reading this blog to do something similar … looks like potassium chloride commonly known as table salt. Nearly impossible to tell the difference until it is too late.
Can you imagine opening up these letters if you worked for this company? Might not be so fun to scam people when you really don’t know if you are going to end up in the hospital later that night or if it was just a harmless prank.
How do you like us now???
The PO Box is at a UPS store
400 CAPITAL CIR SE
STE 18
TALLAHASSEE, FL 32301-3839
Phone: (850)942-5422
Fax: (850)942-5429
http://www.theupsstorelocal.com/3409/
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=508+PLANTERS+WOOD+CT+VALRICO+FL+33594-3730&sll=26.05915,-80.332451&sspn=0.128457,0.193291&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=508+Planters+Wood+Ct,+Valrico,+Hillsborough,+Florida+33594&ll=27.930356,-82.247428&spn=0.001974,0.00302&t=h&z=19
Here is his house!!
Wonder how many $125 checks it takes to pay this mortgage? Looks like a pretty big house to me
How awful is this? As a small business, we continually struggle to get everything done and processed before deadline after deadline…. almost wrote the friggin check for this too! Why are they still allowed to be up and running? Hopefully the potassium cyanide will give them something to think about.
I figured it was a scam… too bad we can’t send it back with “postage due” on their end. Someone spent a lot of time looking up corporate records. i am a hardworking small business also. Also, used to be a private investigator. I am skeptical of anything that looks too official.
Found out too late!!! I had paid it last year and thought it was accurate since I had just incorporated my company.