Find out what the state of California is doing to keep Californians safe and the protections the California Secretary of State has put in place to protect business records. The following is a list of confirmed scams against Californians and businesses in the State of California, and what you can do if you have been a victim of a scam:

Misleading Solicitations

  • Misleading Statement of Information Solicitations (Posted October 24, 2022)
    Domestic and foreign corporations registered to do business in California are the latest targets of bogus direct mail solicitations on official-looking forms designed to scare them into using the non-governmental agency to file the obligatory Statement of Information with the California Secretary of State for nearly 10 times the required filing fee.
  • Fraudulent Certificates of Status are Circulating (Posted October 24, 2022)
    A web-based private company offering e-commerce support services is convincing customers to purchase fraudulent certificates of status. A Certificate of Status can only be issued by the California Secretary of State. No private company is authorized to issue a Certificate of Status.  
  • Misleading Solicitations - Legal Protections (Posted October 24, 2022)
    As of January 1, 2018, AB 492 extends the law to caution Californians and businesses about misleading solicitations to obtain public records.

Fundraising and Phishing Scams

  • Attorney General Takes Action Against Veterans Charities (Posted July 23, 2018; Updated October 24, 2022)
    On July 19, 2018, the California Attorney General, the Federal Trade Commission and other state Attorneys General announced enforcement actions have been taken against charities that conduct fundraising solicitations that falsely promise to help veterans and military service members. More information about this enforcement and education effort is available through the California Attorney General's press release.

Consumer Laws and Resources

Last updated: October 24, 2022