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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Advertisement Email Story to a Friend June 3, 2005 Mail scam targets corporations, nonprofits State justice officials warn businesses about scheme that appears as government document By PARIS ACHEN Mail Tribune Solicitations that have swindled corporations and nonprofit groups in California and Oregon have made their way to Jackson and Josephine counties, state officials say. The solicitations, titled "Disclosure Statement Annual Minutes Shareholders and Directors," ask for a fee of $95, names of shareholders and the amount of shares. "It’s a business-to-business scam," said Jan Margosian of the Oregon Department of Justice. "We are very concerned there are people who still have these letters lying around to be paid. It’s very important they do not pay any money." The justice department has launched a probe into whether the mailings from Corporation Compliance Recorder violate the Unlawful Trade Practices Act, Margosian said. The justice department has received about 280 complaints from corporations and nonprofit groups around the state since May 20, Margosian said. Advertisement It was unknown Thursday how many of those were from Jackson and Josephine counties. "We do not know how many mailings were sent out," Margosian said. "We do know we got complaints in Jackson and Josephine counties and many in Medford." The solicitation cites Oregon Business Law concerning the requirement to keep records of board actions, shareholders and accounting. It warns that failure to complete the form could lead to the possible loss of tax deductions and benefits. A disclaimer in fine print notes that the offer is not being made by a governmental agency. "There is a disclaimer to ward off law enforcement because everything else the letter says is confusing to businesses," Margosian said. Executives with Medford-based Asante Health System who received one of the mailings said they almost mistook the document for an Oregon Secretary of State form. "We started getting suspicious when we saw the fine print that said this is a non-governmental agency because it was set up to look like a government form," said Deborah Ameen, vice president of foundations at Asante. A call to the justice department confirmed the letter was a scam. Ameen said she has sent out about 100 e-mails warning nonprofit groups about the scam. "We live in an age of scrutiny because of corporate abuses, and people are taking advantage of this," she said. Rogue Valley Manor also received a solicitation, but the corporate legal department determined it was fraudulent, so no money was sent out, said Sarah Prewitt, public relations director for the nonprofit retirement community. Margosian said the mailings are believed to come from California even though the solicitations give a Salem address. Margosian said she could not comment Thursday on who is making the solicitations or how much money had been lost. The company could not be reached for comment. The justice department is expected to release more information on the case Monday. If charged and convicted of violating trade practice laws, Corporation Compliance Recorder could face fines of up to $25,000 per mailing, Margosian said. Reach reporter Paris Achen at 776-4496 or e-mail [email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker Custom Build Computers Discount Hotel Reservations online casinos news Ashley Furniture HomeStore Send Flowers Southern Oregon Loans California Casinos GMAT Prep Windermere Van Vleet Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Online Casino Fundraisers Sudoku Online Casinos Canada Online Pharmacy Advertisement s