Florida Trust & Probate Attorneys Blog
By Phillip B. Rarick, Miami Probate Attorney
Two weeks ago we reported a scam directed at Florida businesses by a company named Florida Center of Corporations located in Davie, Florida. I am pleased to now report that the Florida Attorney General secured a temporary injunction and asset freeze against this company on July 2. See SunSentinel.com, July 3, 2013 (Davie firm’s assets frozen).
The deceptive practice goes like this. After a company incorporates, the Florida Center of Corporations sends out a letter appearing to be an “official” letter from the state of Florida advising you to send in about $56 to secure a Certificate of Status for your corporation. According to the SunSentinel article, more that 12,000 businesses fell for this scam and sent in money.
I am glad that the Attorney General’s office was able to stop this practice. However, there is another company called Corporate Records Service that uses similar deceptive practices as employed by Florida Center of Corporations. Corporate Records Service is trying to masquerade as a Florida government agency and scam you out of $125. For some reason, the Attorney General has not been able to stop this company. Therefore, stay alert for letters from Corporate Records Service.
Remember: The Florida Attorney General’s office Hotline is 1-866-966-7226.