Reporting Business Filing Fraud


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Report a Fraudulent Business Filing

Under Connecticut General Statutes Section 3-99e, the Secretary of the State now has the authority to investigate allegations of business filing fraud. The Secretary may forfeit a business organization if a fraudulent filing occurs. This law strengthens the integrity of information on the Connecticut Business Registry.

What is a Fraudulent Business Filing?

A fraudulent filing contains information the filer knew was false at the time of filing.

You should submit a complaint to the Secretary of the State if one of the following occurs without your consent:

  1. Someone created a new business organization using your personal or business organization information.
  2. Someone used your residential or business organization address in a filing on the business registry, without your consent.
  3. Someone included your name in a filing as:
    1. The registered agent;
    2. A principal of the business organization (e.g., officer, director, or member); or
    3. The individual filing the document with the Secretary of the State’s office.
  4. Someone included your personal or business organization email address in a filing.
  5. Someone changed your existing business organization information on the business registry without your consent.

What to Expect

The Secretary may forfeit a business organization if the office cannot verify data submitted to the business registry. This process allows the filer an opportunity to respond to the complaint and may take up to 60 days to complete. We cannot take immediate action on a complaint and must provide the filer a reasonable opportunity to respond.

Complaints Not Investigated

The Secretary's office does not investigate:

  1. Complaints about business activity: This includes, among other things, allegations of criminal activity by a business organization, fraudulent sales practices, selling defective or misdescribed goods, or failure to receive goods or services you paid for.

    For these types of issues, please refer to the "Additional Fraud Protection Resources" section below.

  2. Complaints involving genuine factual disputes over a business organization's use, control, or ownership of a business or business property: In cases where a relationship exists or existed between the complainant and the filer (e.g., family or business partners), the Secretary will defer to more appropriate forums like Superior Court, Family Court, Probate Court (for inheritance disputes concerning a business organization), or Housing Court (for landlord/tenant disputes regarding authorization to use a particular business organization address).

How to File a Complaint

If your information has been included in a business filing without your consent, please email bsd@ct.gov and include the following information:

  • The name of the fraudulent business and business ALEI ID number, if available.
  • A copy of any relevant business filings.
  • Whether your name, residential or business address, or email address was used on the fraudulent business record.
  • Any information describing your relationship with the filer. Are you familiar with the filer who used your information? Are you involved in a dispute with the filer? If you are not aware who made the filing with your information, please indicate so.
  • A brief description of how you became aware of the filing. For example, received a solicitation marketing mail with the business name, a bank statement etc. Please attach any documentation or mail you have received related to the filing or business.

Failure to provide the information requested above may result in your complaint being rejected or delayed.

Additional Fraud Protection Resources

If your complaint does not fall under business filing fraud as described above, or if you suspect other types of fraudulent activity, please contact the appropriate agency below:

Criminal Activity:

Business filing fraud is a crime. Providing intentionally false information to the Secretary in connection with a business filing is a Class D felony under sections 3-99f and 53a-156 of the General Statutes. In addition to reporting the filing fraud to our office, you should also file a police report with your local police department.

If you believe that a business organization is engaging in criminal activity, you should file a police report with your local police department. If you or another person is in immediate danger, you should dial 9-1-1.

General Consumer Complaints & Unfair Business Practices:

Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection

The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection investigates a wide range of consumer complaints, including issues with unfair business practices, scams, and product safety.

Better Business Bureau serving Connecticut

The Connecticut Better Business Bureau helps resolve disputes between consumers and businesses, provides information on business reliability, and receives complaints about scams or fraudulent business practices.

Connecticut Attorney General

The Connecticut Attorney General's office handles various civil matters, including investigating consumer fraud and enforcing consumer protection laws.

Identity Theft:

The Federal Trade Commission is the primary federal agency for identity theft.

Unwanted Mail / Mail Fraud:

Contact the United States Postal Service for issues with unwanted mail, or suspected mail fraud.

Landlord/Tenant Disputes & Housing Court:

Connecticut Judicial Branch - Housing Court

2-1-1 Connecticut

A comprehensive statewide information and referral service. Call 211 for information and referrals for housing, utility, and food assistance, including landlord/tenant resources and legal aid referrals. https://www.211ct.org/

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