Business ProfileforCA Certificate Service, LLC

Gov. Action
Iowa: On Wednesday, February 16, 2022, the Iowa Attorney General reached a settlement with Mr. Dean G. Marshlack and Centurion, resolving allegations of deceptive solicitations that violate the Consumer Fraud Act by sending mailers that appeared to be from government agencies to Iowans in an attempt to sell unnecessary document(Case #, filed in Iowa District Court for Polk County 500 Mulberry St * Des Moines, IA 50309).

In November 2020, the state sued Centurion Filing Services and Marshlack. According to allegations in the lawsuit, the business is using fraudulent misrepresentations in mailings to new limited liability companies to sell Certificates of Good Standing for $62.50. The lawsuit says the mailings make new business owners believe they must make the payment through a design intentionally resembling an official State form, and the use of a Lansing address for payments even though the company is in Florida. These optional certificates are available from the Iowa Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs for $5.

Under the agreement, Centurion will provide $62.50 per transaction to every Iowa consumer who purchased certificates of existence for their businesses and charities and were not previously refunded by the defendants. The total amount to be reimbursed to Iowans will be $78,900.00. The per transaction refund covers all amounts paid by Iowans beyond the actual $5 cost of certificates. In all, 1,263 transactions were completed, according to the settlement.

The AG's Office will send refunds directly to Iowa business owners and charity operators beginning in March. The envelope will include information about the settlement, and consumers who wish to verify the check is legitimate may call the Iowa Attorney General's Office.