Loading...Secretary of State Handel Alerts Corporations to Potential Scam
According to the office of Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel, an entity calling itself "Georgia Corporate Compliance," recently mailed solicitations entitled "Annual Minutes Disclosure Statement" to a large number of Georgia companies. The solicitation offers to complete corporate meeting minutes for the companies for a fee. But, Handel’s office says that Georgia corporations are not required by law to file corporate minutes with the Secretary of State. This solicitation has prompted numerous phone calls to the Secretary of State’s office.
Businesses are confused because the solicitations look similar to forms sent out by the Georgia Secretary of State's Office, including an official-looking seal. Even though the solicitation includes a disclaimer stating that Georgia Corporate Compliance is not affiliated or endorsed by any government agency, many customers have been confused by the official-looking documents.
Although the Secretary of State has no legal authority to pursue this matter, they have provided details to the U. S. Postal Inspector, the Office of Consumer Affairs and the Georgia Attorney General's Office. In 2007, the Georgia Secretary of State collected a statutory civil penalty from Georgia Corporate Compliance for transacting business in Georgia without a certificate of authority. Georgia Corporate Compliance continues to transact business in violation of the law.
It’s important to remember that any official statement or request from the Office of the Secretary of State will clearly indicate its origin by displaying the State Seal and the name of Secretary of State Karen Handel.
Corporate customers with questions can call the Corporations Division Call Center at 404-656-2817.
