HARRISBURG – Secretary of the Commonwealth Carol Aichele has announced an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, supported by the Department of State, has resulted in a permanent injunction against a company that had been scamming businesses.
“Governor Corbett’s message is loud and clear, that state government is here to encourage companies to locate and bring jobs to Pennsylvania, and we will do all we can to protect our businesses from scam artists and any other illegal activity,” Aichele said.
Beginning in March, a company identified as Pennsylvania Corporate Compliance began sending official-looking notices to businesses, claiming bogus filings were required by the state, and offering to handle these filings for a $125 fee.
“As soon as we learned of this scam, we immediately notified businesses that this was bogus and to throw the solicitation away,” Aichele said.
U.S. District Judge Sylvia Rambo issued the permanent injunction against Aaron Williams, Pennsylvania Corporate Compliance, anyone under Williams’ supervision and/or control, and any other fictitious entities operated by Williams.
The injunction bars these entities from “falsely and fraudulently representing that recipients owe the amount listed on the face of the solicitation, completion and submission of his form is required by the designated state, and the fee listed on the mailing is required by the designated state.”
The mailing included, near the top of the letter, a direct citation from the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law regarding corporate records. Despite the language and official look of the mailing, there is no filing called an Annual Meeting Disclosure Statement required in Pennsylvania, Aichele said.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service has the authority, under this order, to seize these mailings and return them to the sender, Aichele said. Any business receiving a mailing from Pennsylvania Corporate Compliance Company, or any company associated with Aaron Williams, should disregard the mailing and notify the Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations, she said.
“I commend our Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations for warning businesses of this scam, and the United States Postal Inspection Service, for winning this injunction protecting businesses in the future,” Aichele said.
“Any official notices sent to businesses by the Pennsylvania Department of State or Secretary of the Commonwealth will contain the letterhead and/or contact information for the Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations,” Aichele added.
Any business that has questions can call the Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations at 717-787-1057, or email the bureau at ra-corps@pa.gov.
Information on registering a corporation in Pennsylvania is available at www.dos.state.pa.us, and clicking on “Corporations,” or by calling 1-888-659-9962.