The Michigan Attorney General's office and LPCCS, LLC, formerly a Florida company, have negotiated an end to deceptive practices targeting Michigan's fresh wave of entrepreneurs, as reported by the Michigan government's official website. The assurance of voluntary compliance that Attorney General Dana Nessel filed indicates that LPCCS allegedly sent misleading mailers which misrepresented their product, a labor law poster supposedly necessary to avoid civil penalties, as an almost-official obligation instead of a purchasable advertisement.
While these mailers sported disclaimers stating they were not government-affiliated and their product was not mandatory, the format was allegedly confusing by generating the impression it was an invoice or a government notice. LPCCS also apparently faltered by not making it clear to recipients that similar mandatory labor law posters are, in fact, available for free from the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity. Adding to the concern, such deceptive mailers continued to reach businesses even after the company had dissolved in February 2024.
"Advertisements should be clearly identified as such, not disguised as fear tactics aimed at entrepreneurs just getting started," said Nessel, according to the Michigan government's official website. The reached agreement forbids LPCCS and its managing member Geraldo Rodriguez from dispatching any further mailers to individuals in Michigan, ensuring that the 121 businesses who fell prey to the solicitation would receive refunds, with the company additionally shouldering $500 for investigation costs.
As part of a warning issued to new business owners, whose formation records are public and thus vulnerable to such deceptive acts, the Attorney General's office underscores the importance of scrutinizing solicitations—some entities prey on inexperience, offering at a price what is otherwise available for free or less from official sources, and for those suspecting foul play, Michigan's Consumer Protection Team provides a channel to voice their concerns, with its contact details shared for easy reach-out by those in need.
