NEW YORK – The New York Department of State has shut down two websites that “impersonated” the New York State Department of State (NYSDOS) and significantly overcharged users for services provided by NYSDOS, according to the New York Attorney General’s office.
The “misleading” websites, created by Thomas Romano and his company, Steamin’ Weenie LLC, closely mimicked NYSDOS’ Division of Corporations site by using the agency’s official seal and logo, and allowed users to file various business-related documents with federal, state, and local entities for much higher prices than NYSDOS offered, the AG’s office explained.
“One of the websites charged $135 for a certified copy of a certificate of incorporation, which cost only $10 from NYSDOS at the time,” the AG’s office said.
The NYSDOS helps individuals file paperwork for their businesses, such as corporate registry documents, or start a limited liability company (LLC). There were no disclosures on the websites that they were operated by a private third-party agreeing to file documents on behalf of their users. In addition to shutting down the websites, the state AG said it secured $44,387 in penalties from the company and its owner, the AG’s office said.
Terms of Settlement
The agreement requires Thomas Romano and his company to pay $44,387 in penalties and prevents the company and its owner from using any government logos, seals, or other similar iconography to deceive consumers into believing that they are dealing with a government entity. They will also be required to “clearly and conspicuously” disclose to consumers that they are a private third-party and not affiliated with the government, the AG’s office added.
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