Business owners warned of money pitch

Businesses in the Tri-Parish region – as well as throughout the nation – are receiving official-looking envelopes with forms inside containing a pitch for $125, to be sent by Feb. 27.

But Louisiana officials say the service the mailing sells is not required by their offices, even though there could be a perception that failing to buy it could mean trouble.

Secretary of State Tom Schedler has branded the communications from Corporate Records Service as “misleading” and plans to send the firm a cease and desist letter.

Schedler also said he is turning the case over to Louisiana Attorney General Buddy Caldwell for further action.

The mass mailings include a statement on the envelopes worded “Annual Minutes Requirement Statement” but also contain the disclaimer “this is not a government document.”

The return address is 17732 Highland Road, Suite G, Box 112, in Baton Rouge.

The form inside is headed “2013 annual minutes form” with cites from Louisiana statues regarding keeping of corporate records and instructions to send the form with $125.

The Guidry Group, publisher of the Tri-Parish Times, was among local businesses to receive the mailing.

Corporations are required to file their minutes but the forms for the state are different from those in the company’s mailout, Schedler’s statement points out.

A call to the company Monday resulted in a request by a person who said he was an employee for an email to be sent with questions. The person said the company is headquartered in Lansing.

There was no response to the e-mail electronically or by telephone, as requested.

Ironically, Schedler had recently begun an e-mail notification system for businesses to provide warning of possible fraudulent activity. The warning on the corporate documents mailing is the first he has sent. The free notification service includes information on changes to commercial entities and office closures.

“Just this week, we were able to notify businesses concerning correspondence from a company named Corporate Records Service related to annual reports that are not required by my office,” Schedler said.

A statement from his office states that Corporate Records Service is not affiliated or associated with Louisiana state government in any way.

“It is a private company, and Louisiana corporations are not required to report to or have any dealings with this company,” Schedler’s statement reads. “Any reports sent to Corporate Records Service will not fulfill the reports that are due to the Department of State under Louisiana law.”

Two other companies, Louisiana Corporate Compliance Business Services and Corporate Compliance Company, have also sent mailings according to Schedler, which are also not affiliated with Louisiana government in any way.

Business people who want to know more about Schedler’s notifications should go to www.sos.la.gov for information. Text notifications are also available.