Press Release

January 24, 2012

Business Alert - Possible Deceptive Business Annual Report Notice Mailing Scam

SALEM – Oregon Secretary of State Kate Brown warns all Oregon businesses to beware of a new business-to-business mailing that looks deceptively like a mailing from the Corporation Division.

A number of businesses report receiving an "official looking" invoice entitled, "Corporate Regulatory Committee – Corporate Annual Report." It warns of potential administrative dissolution if action is not taken by a specified date, and offers to file the renewal with the Secretary of State Corporation Division (for a fee of $238) as the business’ agent. The mailings are from a company called Corporate Regulatory Committee, and the invoice lists a return address of 1118 Lancaster Drive #369, Salem, OR 97301, which is a mail forwarding business.

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 renew business themselves directly with the Secretary of State’s Corporation Division. The Secretary of State mails renewal notices to all registered businesses approximately 45 days prior to the anniversary date of the business. Renewals can also be completed online at www.filinginoregon.com. The annual report filing fee for an Oregon Corporation or LLC is just $100 per year when paid directly to the State of Oregon.

Businesses need to read solicitations carefully to determine if they are, in fact, from a government agency and require a response. Solicitations from some private organizations are difficult to distinguish from government correspondence at first glance, even though they may contain disclaimers noting that the organization is not government affiliated.

For more information, please contact:
Tony Green
Communications Director
tony.green@state.or.us
(503) 507-0082