CT businesses targeted in ‘certificate of existence’ scam

Connecticut business owners are being targeted in a new scam by a private company attempting to collect money for an unnecessary business operations document.

According to a joint statement issued by Attorney General William Tong and Secretary of the State Denise Merrill, a company calling itself CT Certificate Service has been mailing letters to Connecticut businesses demanding a $112.50 fee for the companies to receive a “Connecticut Certificate of Existence.” The letter insists that the certificate is need to prove that the business “complies with all state requirements.”

CT Certificate Service has a West Hartford mailing address, although an investigation found it is run by a private company out of Florida.

A certificate of existence is not a required document for a business operating in Connecticut. The certificate, which is designed to affirm that a company is active and up-to-date with its annual report filing, can be obtained through the Secretary of the State”™s office.

“CT Certificate of Service has no affiliation with the State of Connecticut and this is not a legitimate mailing,” said Tong. “If you have received this letter or sent money to this company, I want to hear from you.”

“There is no legal requirement for any business to obtain a certificate of legal existence, or to pay the inflated fee indicated,” added Merrill.