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BBB Warns Michigan Businesses About Questionable Mailings

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Once again somebody too lazy to go get a legitimate job and provide a real and valuable purpose to the Michigan business community is opting instead to be lazy, fraudulent and trying to con you out of your hard earned money under less than honorable conditions.

The Better Business Bureau Serving Western Michigan is warning local businesses about offers by mail that some businesses claim appear to be from the government. The warning follows action by the Michigan Attorney General against a Florida company called CA Certificate Service, which is doing business in Michigan as MI Certificate Service.

According to a lawsuit filed by the Michigan Attorney General’s office, MI Certificate Service sent deceptive mailings to Michigan businesses that had recently filed paperwork with the State of Michigan to become limited liability companies. The mailings include an official looking form that businesses were asked to sign in order to obtain a Certificate of Good Standing. MI Certificate Service charges those business $72.50 for the service. However, this optional certificate is available from the State of Michigan for $10. The lawsuit alleges the mailings lead business owners to believe they are required to make the $72.50 payment and use the form provided by MI Certificate Service.

Phil Catlett, President of the Better Business Bureau, says, “Businesses really need to use caution when getting mailings such as this,” and adds, “Just because a document looks official doesn’t mean it is. These types of offers are becoming very common. Business owners should research any mailings that appear to come from the government. If there is any question about the offer’s legitimacy you should contact the government agency directly.”

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Despite being based in St. Petersburg, Florida, MI Certificate Services has a Lansing-area mailing address. However, the address comes back to a mailbox at a UPS store. That same UPS store is also the mailing address for several other companies that have been accused of making similar deceptive offers to businesses. These include offers selling posters advising employees of their rights, which are often available at little or no cost, or mailings to businesses to file annual reports they may or may not be required to file, depending on individual state laws. These mailings have been the subject of numerous warnings by the Better Business Bureau and state agencies across the country.

Catlett notes, “Some businesses do need help navigating government bureaucracy and making necessary filings with the state,” adding, “However, any business making such an offer should be upfront about their identity. They should make it clear they are a private company offering a service, and not imply in any way that they are connected to the government.”

Businesses with questions are encouraged to contact the Better Business Bureau for assistance by email, phone or through BBB.ORG

The Michigan Attorney General urges anyone who believes they have been victimized by illegal business practices from a company to report their concerns to mi.gov/agcomplaints.