CPS Filing Services, Workplace Compliance Services, and related entities are soliciting businesses across the country with letters on official-looking letterhead, requesting egregious overcharge payments for amounts ranging from $100-$300. In fact, businesses only need to pay minor state filing fees in the $5-$10 range — and some entities can file their documentation for free.
At least two states have issued warnings about these wrongful practices. The Oregon Secretary of State recently stated:
Many businesses reported a Workplace Compliance Services (W.C.S.) or C.P.S. mailing as deceptive and confusing despite disclaimers by the company. The mailing resembles the “official” annual report notice from the Oregon Secretary of State . . .
While Hawaii’s Department of Commerce & Consumer Affairs stated as follows:
“We are reissuing our notice regarding this solicitation because we are extremely concerned that recipients could be misled by it and erroneously believe that it comes from a state agency. On the contrary, ‘C.P.S.’ and ‘Workplace Compliance Services’ are not government agencies, have no affiliation with one, and appear to use a mail drop as their company address”, said Ty Nohara, Hawaii Commissioner of Securities. Neither company is registered with DCCA to conduct business in the state.
In summary, the filing fee solicitors’ activities involve:
- Sending businesses mail on misleading “official”-looking letterhead.
- Creating a false sense of urgency regarding filing fee deadlines.
- Soliciting people to complete forms through them and submit an egregious overcharge, without disclosing their true identity.
Attorneys at Finkelstein, Blankinship, Frei-Pearson & Garber, LLP have successfully recovered tens of millions of dollars on behalf of consumers. If you or someone you know has been impacted by misleading business filing overcharges, please contact us to discuss your legal options.