Information and Alerts

Government Actions

State of Iowa vs Centurion Filing, et. al.

On February 15 2022 the Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller  announced that a settlement was reached with a Florida organization doing business in Iowa resolving allegations the company and its owner violated the Consumer Fraud Act by sending mailers that appeared to be from government agencies to Iowans in an attempt to sell unnecessary documents. Centurion Filing Services and owner Dean G. Marshlack agreed to provide $78,900 in refunds to more than 1,200 Iowa business owners and charity operators, refrain from sending mailer solicitations to Iowans or from any Iowa location, and immediately cease sharing any identifying or personal information from businesses and charities that responded to the company’s solicitations.  

In November 2020, the state sued Centurion Filing Services and Marshlack alleging that the St. Petersburg, Fla., company violated the Iowa Consumer Fraud Act.  According to the lawsuit, Centurion — using the name “IA Certificate Service” and a Des Moines address from a UPS Store — sent out at least 7,170 mailers to Iowa business owners. The letters looked like invoices and stated that “your articles have been filed with the secretary of state and are complete,” and instructed businesses to order a “Iowa Certificate of Existence” for $67.50.  Business certificates of existence are available directly from the Iowa Secretary of State for only $5. Such a certificate is not required to become an “official” business or to transact business in Iowa, although companies may need it to do business out of state, secure a loan from a financial institution, or for other limited circumstances.  As a result of the deception, many business owners believed that the letter was from the Secretary of State and obtaining the certificate of existence was necessary. Consumers who purchased the certificates paid a markup of over 1000% from the $5 fee. 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 legitimately from the Iowa Attorney General’s Office may call  the AG at 515-281-5926. For additional information go to: https://www.iowaattorneygeneral.gov/media/cms/Centurion_CJ_474012092EA3E.pdf

Alert

On February 15, 2022, Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller  announced that a settlement was reached with a Florida organization doing business in Iowa resolving allegations the company and its owner violated the Consumer Fraud Act by sending mailers that appeared to be from government agencies to Iowans in an attempt to sell unnecessary documents. Centurion Filing Services and owner Dean G. Marshlack agreed to provide $78,900 in refunds to more than 1,200 Iowa business owners and charity operators, refrain from sending mailer solicitations to Iowans or from any Iowa location, and immediately cease sharing any identifying or personal information from responders to the company’s solicitations.  

In November 2020, the State sued Centurion Filing Services and Marshlack alleging that the St. Petersburg, FL. company violated the Iowa Consumer Fraud Act.  According to the lawsuit, Centurion — using the name “IA Certificate Service” and a Des Moines address from a UPS Store — sent out at least 7,170 mailers to Iowa business owners. The letters looked like invoices and stated that “your articles have been filed with the secretary of state and are complete,” and instructed businesses to order a “Iowa Certificate of Existence” for $67.50.  Business certificates of existence are available from the Iowa Secretary of State for only $5. Such certificate is not required to become an “official” business or to transact business in Iowa; owners believed  the letter was from the Secretary of State and obtaining the certificate was necessary. Consumers who purchased the certificates paid a markup of over 1000%. Under the agreement, Centurion will provide $62.50 per transaction to every Iowa consumer who purchased certificates 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  amounts paid by I beyond the actual $5 cost. 1,263 transactions were completed, according to the settlement.   Mailed refunds will include settlement details.  Consumers may verify the check legitimacy by calling 515-281-5926 and go to: https://www.iowaattorneygeneral.gov/media/cms/Centurion_CJ_474012092EA3E.pdf