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TALLAHASSEE, FL - Attorney General Bill McCollum today sued a Largo company, citing allegations that the company and its manager were engaged in deceptive and misleading advertising practices. Registered Agent Division’s advertisements allegedly use deceptive statements to coerce small businesses into purchasing the company’s services. The Attorney General’s Economic Crimes Division is seeking a temporary injunction against the company and manager Nick Congleton which, if granted, will force the company to stop operating until the lawsuit is resolved.

“Companies should not be permitted to prey upon small businesses through false scare tactics,” said Attorney General McCollum.

The company offers to be a registered agent for a business for a $149 fee. The advertising campaign is done though letters sent throughout the state based on the false premise that the targeted business has failed to properly have a registered agent. Several statements in the advertisement are false, including the implication that an “outside registered agent” is required to do business in the state. Florida law specifically permits a registered agent to have an office at the local business headquarters. Another misleading statement is that failure to have a registered agent could result in fines or penalties on the senior managers of the company.

Despite its statewide solicitation, the Registered Agent Division is not listed as a registered agent for any business in the state. The Department of State’s Division of Corporations has cooperated with this investigation and has already cautioned the Registered Agent Division that its solicitation is deceptive.

A copy of the lawsuit filed against Registered Agent Division is available here.