Connecticut officials, including Attorney General William Tong, warned businesses about a scam by CT UCC Statement Service, which charges $90 for free UCC reports. The company's mailings are designed to look like government documents, but reports are available for free at business.ct.gov. Businesses should verify notices and avoid paying fees for free services.
In-house legal teams should review vendor and third-party service agreements, particularly those involving government-like services or filings. Focus on clauses describing the scope of services, fee structures, representations of affiliation with government entities, and required disclaimers. Verify that contracts clearly state the provider's independent status and that fees are only for optional services, not for mandatory government filings. Consider adding terms requiring vendors to provide clear, conspicuous disclaimers about non-affiliation and to reference official government portals for free services. Also review termination and payment clauses to prevent unauthorized recurring charges.
Entity
CT UCC Statement Service
Industry
OtherOfficial Press Release
https://portal.ct.gov/ag/press-releases/2024-press-releases/officials-warn-against-potential-government-imposter-scam-targeting-connecticut-businesses
sbizhub 22723112011330.pdf?rev=3bd10f77d9524d8da23860710c02a
https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/ag/press_releases/2024/sbizhub-22723112011330.pdf?rev=3bd10f77d9524d8da23860710c02ac7f&hash=FEA33C413AA9AE4812FAAB8D3D3995C0
Connecticut Attorney General Enforcement Page
https://portal.ct.gov/AG/Privacy/Privacy-Resources
$625K
Connecticut reached a $625,000 settlement with Frontier Communications Parent Inc. over an April 2024 breach in which compromised employee and vendor credentials were used to access internal systems and exfiltrate unencrypted personal information of 58,841 Connecticut residents. The settlement requires Frontier to strengthen its security program, implement specific safeguards and training, and obtain an independent third-party assessment.
$2.6M
Connecticut and New York found that Boston Children’s Health Physicians and its security vendor, XTIUM, failed to use reasonable safeguards, resulting in hackers accessing sensitive personal, medical, and employee information. The companies agreed to pay penalties totaling $2.64 million and implement enhanced cybersecurity measures.
Connecticut joined a coalition of state attorneys general filing a notice in Character Technologies, Inc.’s bankruptcy proceedings, raising concerns about the company’s safety and privacy practices and the sensitive information it holds. The states seek protections for children and consumers if the company’s business or assets are sold or transferred; the filing does not impose a fine or other remedy.
Attorney General William Tong and Consumer Counsel Claire Coleman petitioned PURA to review how Connecticut public utilities use artificial intelligence, citing potential data privacy and cybersecurity risks, algorithmic errors, and misleading outputs. The petition asks PURA to examine utility AI systems, safeguards, vendors, and data security practices; it does not report a finding of violation or an imposed penalty.
$2.0M
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong announced a settlement with RZ Smoke, Inc. over allegations that it distributed and sold high-potency cannabis products without a state license. The stipulated judgment is $2 million, with $375,000 payable to the State and $1.6 million suspended to ensure compliance; the company is barred from specified cannabis activities in Connecticut unless licensed.
$13.7M
Connecticut joined a coalition of states and the federal government in settling allegations that Takeda paid healthcare providers speaker honoraria and provided meals to induce prescriptions of Trintellix, leading to allegedly false claims to government healthcare programs. Takeda agreed to pay $13,670,921 plus accrued interest, with portions allocated to federal and state programs.