The Attorney General’s Office (AGO) has filed a lawsuit against California company Labor Standards Compliance Office (LSCO) and its principal, Fangliang Cui, for alleged violations of the Washington State Consumer Protection Act (CPA).
The AGO has received 84 complaints from businesses about a misleading letter sent from LSCO.
“The Attorney General’s Office protects business owners who play by the rules and pursues bad actors who don’t,” said Attorney General Bob Ferguson. “This scam is one of the worst because it preys on business owners who are trying to do the right thing. Business owners should always feel comfortable calling the Attorney General’s Office if they suspect a scam.”
The alleged scam
Business owners have been receiving an official-looking letter in the mail, implying the business must buy required workplace posters for $295, or face fines and audits. State and federal governments do require certain posters to be placed at job sites. While private vendors may sell the posters, the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) and other government agencies provide the posters for free.
The mass mailing has confused business owners who assume the letter is from L&I. The Department did not send the letters.
“When the letters started hitting mailboxes, we were deluged with calls. People were both perplexed and upset at receiving what looked like an official notice,” said L&I Deputy Director Ernie LaPalm. “We appreciate the Attorney General taking action to protect consumers from being misled.”
“L&I workplace posters haven’t changed since 2012,” LaPalm added, “so employers don’t need new ones this year from our agency.”
The misleading letter looks like a bill addressed to individual businesses. It uses alarming words like ‘FINAL NOTICE,’ and ‘DUE NOW,’ and includes a payment stub for $295.
Overview of AGO lawsuit against Labor Standards Compliance Office
The AGO complaint alleges multiple violations of the CPA including:
1. Creating an impression that the solicitation comes from a government agency;
2. Creating a false sense of urgency for consumers; and
3. Creating an impression that the solicitation is a bill or invoice the consumer is obligated to comply with or pay.
The AGO will be seeking restitution for consumers as well as attorney’s costs and fees.
Assistant Attorney General Brooks Clemmons is lead on this case.
You can find links to download required posters for free at http://www.lni.wa.gov/IPUB/101-054-000.asp. Companies with L&I posters dated 2012 or later do not need new L&I posters.
If your business bought posters from the Labor Standards Compliance Office, please file a complaint with the AGO by calling 1.800.551.4636 or visiting http://www.atg.wa.gov/FileAComplaint.aspx#Online.
Beware of a similar poster scam
The AGO has learned of a similar telemarketing scam. Labor Law Compliance Institute has been calling businesses, from 1.888.562.0999, trying to sell labor posters for $143 that are free of charge from L&I. They have an ‘F’ rating from the Better Business Bureau and the company is also mentioned in a RipoffReport.com complaint.
“No matter how a labor poster solicitor tries to contact you, remember you don’t need to pay for posters that are free,” Ferguson said.
