Misleading Business Solicitations and Fraudulent Filings
Avoid Misleading Solicitations and Scams
If you are representing a business, be aware of deceptive solicitations being sent to many entities registered with the California Secretary of State. Scams often attempt to collect payments that are higher than the standard filing fees. Click on the links below to see examples of misleading solicitations and available resources.
Misleading Statement of Information Solicitations Example
The Statement of Information is a required annual or biennial filing for corporations and limited liability companies. Statements of Information may be filed online at bizfile Online. The fee to file is $25 for California and out-of-state stock corporations, and $20 for nonprofit corporations and all limited liability companies.
Fraudulent Certificate of Status Example
A Certificate of Status can only be issued by the California Secretary of State. A Certificate of Status for Corporations, Limited Liability Companies and Limited Partnerships can be obtained online at bizfile Online for a fee of $5. These certificates as well as Uniform Commercial Code certificates can be validated using the California Secretary of State’s Certification Verification tool provided on bizfile Online.
No business is required to go through another private entity in order to obtain documents or certificates from the California Secretary of State and no private entity can issue these documents, although a business entity may use an intermediary to submit filings, request a certificate of status, and pay fees to our office. More information regarding laws and statutes can be found on the Misleading Solicitations - Legal Protections page.
Report a Scam
If you received a misleading solicitation or scam, report it to the California Secretary of State Business Programs Division as well as the California Attorney General.
1. Contact the Business Programs Division. Use the contact form to let us know about the misleading/fraudulent solicitation.
2. File a Consumer Complaint Against Business/Corporation with the California Attorney General. Businesses should submit a written complaint along with the entire solicitation (including the solicitation letter, the outer and return envelopes, and all related documents received, if available) to the California Attorney General, Public Inquiry Unit, P.O. Box 944255, Sacramento, California 94244–2550.
Our Methods of Communication
|
Type of Communication |
Information |
|---|---|
| Mailings | All notices sent by mail include the California Secretary of State seal. |
| Emails | All email communication is sent from an email ending with @sos.ca.gov. Note: when first opening an account on bizfile Online, you will receive an email from @okta.com. |
| Phone Calls | The Business Programs Division will only communicate by phone if a form has been submitted to our office, or if a callback is requested. |
| Text Messages | The Business Programs Division does not send any communication by text messages. |
| Addresses | All Business Programs Division addresses can be found on our Contact Information page. |
| Websites | All Business Programs Division website URLs will contain sos.ca.gov. |
| Payment |
|
Fraudulent Filings
Was your personal information used without authorization on a business filing in our records?
If you found unauthorized use of your personal information such as your name or address on a filing with the California Secretary of State, report the misuse/fraud to the California Secretary of State's Business Programs Division using our contact form. For more details and instructions, visit Fraudulent Filings - Information and Instructions.
Was there an unauthorized filing on your business in our records?
Please report any unauthorized changes to the California Secretary of State's Business Programs Division using our contact form. If your business entity is a Corporation or Limited Liability Company, you may submit a Statement of Information online to update your entity information. Information regarding how to submit a Statement of Information can be found in the bizfile Online Help Guide and on the Statements of Information Filing Tips page.
Tips to Prevent Business Identity Theft
Prevention and Detection
Business records are more secure on bizfile Online with access management. Prevention requires keeping your business records current. Detection starts with a periodic review to ensure no fraudulent or mistaken business entity filings have been made. To learn more tips and resources, visit California Secretary of State Business Identity Theft Information and Resources.
Videos Resources Library
Our Videos Resources Library is available to view videos on access management and keeping your entity information up to date.
Disclaimer
** Disclaimer: Although corporations and other business entities are required to file records with the California Secretary of State, the California Secretary of State does not regulate the activities of business entities. The investigation and regulation of individual activities by corporations and other business entities are left to other state or local agencies, or through private civil lawsuits.
Contact Us
If you have an issue or concern that does not fall into the above categories, please use the contact form to email the California Secretary of State's Business Programs Division.
Contact Secretary of State Business Programs Division
Disclaimer
** Disclaimer: Although every attempt has been made to ensure that the information contained on the bizfile Online portal is accurate, the California Secretary of State's office is not responsible for any loss, consequence, or damage resulting directly or indirectly from reliance on the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of the information that is provided. All such information is provided "as is."
