Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp alerted corporations today that his office has received complaints about solicitations sent from a firm called “Compliance Services.” The firm offers to complete corporate meeting minutes on behalf of Georgia corporations for a fee. Despite the implications contained in the solicitation, Georgia corporations are not required by law to file corporate minutes with the Secretary of State’s Corporations Division.
Secretary Kemp said, “Georgia’s corporations should be cautious regarding any suspicious solicitation, as well as the growing issues of corporate fraud and identity theft. We urge our corporate customers to contact us immediately if they receive suspicious solicitations or believe they are the victims of fraud.”
Although the solicitation from Compliance Services contains language from various Georgia Code sections and a disclaimer stating “This product has not been approved or endorsed by any government agency and this offer is not being made by an agency of the government,” some corporate officers have been understandably confused by the official-looking documents. It is important to remember that any official statement or request from the Secretary of State will clearly indicate its origin by displaying the State Seal and the name of Secretary of State Brian Kemp.
If corporate customers have any questions, please call the Corporations Division Call Center at 404-656-2817.
Secretary Kemp has been recognized by his fellow Secretaries of State as a national leader in implementing e-government solutions to combat corporate fraud and identity theft, and in raising awareness among business owners, financial institutions and law enforcement agencies about this growing criminal activity.
Kemp is a member of the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) Business Services Committee and the NASS Business Identity Theft Task Force. In February, Kemp conducted a presentation for his colleagues at the NASS Winter Conference on Georgia’s e-government solutions and initiatives to combat corporate fraud and identity theft.
Brian Kemp has been Secretary of State since January, 2010. Among the office’s wide-ranging responsibilities, the Secretary of State is charged with conducting efficient and secure elections, the registration of corporations, and the regulation of securities and professional license holders. The office also oversees the Georgia Archives.
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