Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing COVID-19 Scam Warning: If you receive calls, emails, or other communications offering COVID-19 related grants or stimulus payments in exchange for personal financial information, or an advance fee, tax, or charge of any kind, including the purchase of gift cards, please do not respond. These are scams. Please contact the FBI at www.ic3.gov so that the scammers can be tracked and stopped. Complaint FAQs 1. I have a complaint. How do I know if my complaint is within the jurisdiction of this Division? Corporations Section: The Corporations Section of this Division is mainly administerial, meaning the Corporations Section is mainly a filing agency. The Corporations Section accepts filings that are complete and compliant according to Alaska Statutes (law) and Regulations. Per Alaska Statutes, if a filing conforms to statutory requirements and provisions then it will be filed. This means, IF an entity (i.e. corporation, LLC, LLP, LP, non-profit, etc.) provides the required filings complete and compliant according to Corporations Statutes and Regulations THEN the Corporations Section may accept the filing in good faith and file it for record. The Corporations Section does not have the statutory authority to investigate the veracity of each filing. Corporations Statutes and Regulations do not give the Corporations Section of this Division the jurisdictional authority to adjudicate over issues or concerns regarding an entity’s internal operations. These issues may be resolve directly with the entity or potentially through the court system. The jurisdictional authority to adjudicate over these issues rests with the Alaska Court System which may, as a result of a court case, issue a court order for whatever action the court deems appropriate. For information about an entity on record with the Corporations Section of this Division go to: Search Corporation Database. For more information about an entity’s filing requirements go to Notice: The Entity’s Responsibility. Anyone seeking to resolve issues with an entity may wish to do one or more of the following: review Corporations Statutes and Regulations; review other Alaska Statutes (law) that may apply: contact the entity directly (tip: submit your request in writing and reference the specific statute pertaining to the situation); seek legal counsel; if you suspect there are criminal concerns contact to the appropriate authorities who have jurisdiction authority, such as: your local police or local law enforcement; Alaska State Troopers, which enforces criminal laws and investigates violations of those laws; Dept. of Law Consumer Protection, which investigates unfair or deceptive business practices; FBI ,or See question #2 below for a list of other possible agencies that may be of assistance; seek resolution through the Alaska Court System. This Division does not provide legal advice. The information contained within these webpages is provided for your convenience and is not to be interpreted as legal advice. You are encouraged to seek the advice of a professional, such as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and/or Attorney if you need additional assistance. Business Licensing Section: The Business Licensing Section of this Division is mainly administerial, meaning the Business Licensing Section is mainly a filing agency. This means, IF a business provides the statutorily required filings complete and compliant according to Business Licensing Statutes and Regulation THEN the Business Licensing Section may file it for record. If a business is operating without a business license, improperly licensed, or selling products without the statutorily required Endorsement then the Investigations Unit of this Division may be of assistance. For more information on how to file a complaint with this Division’s Investigations Unit go to Investigations. For business license and/or endorsement information on record with the Business Licensing Section of this Division go to: Search Business Licenses Search Endorsements Anyone seeking to resolve issues with an entity may wish to do one or more of the following: review Business Licensing Statutes and Regulation; review other Alaska Statutes (law) that may apply: contact the business directly (tip: submit your request in writing and reference the specific statute pertaining to the situation); seek legal counsel; if you suspect there are criminal concerns contact to the appropriate authorities who have jurisdiction authority, such as: your local police or local law enforcement; Alaska State Troopers, which enforces criminal laws and investigates violations of those laws; Dept. of Law Consumer Protection, which investigates unfair or deceptive business practices; FBI ,or See question #2 below for a list of other possible agencies that may be of assistance; seek resolution through the Alaska Court System. This Division does not provide legal advice. The information contained within these webpages is provided for your convenience and is not to be interpreted as legal advice. You are encouraged to seek the advice of a professional, such as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and/or Attorney if you need additional assistance. Professional Licensing Section: To see if someone is professionally licensed or if an existing licensee has disciplinary action go to Search Professional Licenses . To file a complaint against a licensed or unlicensed professional, please check the list of regulated professions licensed by the Professional Licensing Section of this Division to ensure the complaint falls within the jurisdiction of this Division’s Investigation Unit. For more information on how to file a complaint with this Division’s Investigations Unit go to Investigations. Investigations Unit: The Investigations Unit of this Division investigates matters pertaining to business licenses, endorsements, and licensed professionals. Please be aware that not all issues will fall within our jurisdiction and you may have to contact other agencies for assistance. You are encouraged to call Investigations office prior to submitting a complaint to ensure that we are able to assist you. For more information, including contact information and on how to file a complaint with this Division’s Investigations Unit go to Investigations. If your complaint is not under the jurisdiction of this Division you may need to contact a different agency. For more information see question #2 below. You may wish to seek the advice of a professional or seek legal counsel. 2. What if my complaint is not within the jurisdiction of this Division, where else I can I go with my complaint for help? Complaints pertaining to business licenses, the sale of tobacco products, and licensed professionals are investigated by this Division's Investigations Unit. In addition and/or for complaints that do not fall within the jurisdiction of this Division, you may want to file a complaint with another relevant agency. Below is a partial list of relevant agencies and other complaint resources. Contact relevant agencies To find more agencies go to State of Alaska Air Quality: Alaska Dept. of Environmental Conservation Alcohol: the Alaska Dept. of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development: Alcohol Beverage Control Board ANCSA: the Alaska Dept. of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development Division of Banking and Securities Banks and Financial Institutions: Alaska Dept. of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development Division of Banking and Securities Boards and Commissions: The Office of the Governor, Boards & Commissions Debt Collection: Alaska Dept. of Law/Consumer Protection Unit/Debt Collection Disability-based Discrimination: Disability Law Center of Alaska Discrimination: Alaska State Commission for Human Rights Elder Fraud: Dept. of Administration/Office of Public Advocacy/Elder Fraud Assistance Fisheries: Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game and the Alaska Dept. of Revenue Food Safety: the Alaska Dept. of Environmental Conservation Division of Environmental Health Frauds & Scams: Alaska Dept. of Law/Consumer Protection Unit/Frauds & Scams Gaming (bingo, raffles, pull-tabs, sweepstakes, etc.): Alaska Dept. of Revenue HIPPA Violations: HIPAA is a federal law and the Seattle Office of Civil Rights takes complaints (online) regarding potential HIPAA violations at: www.hhs.gov/ocr/office Home Improvement: Alaska Dept. of Law/Consumer Protection Unit/Home Improvement Identity Theft & Privacy: Alaska Dept. of Law/Consumer Protection Unit/ID Theft & Privacy Internet & Email: Alaska Dept. of Law/Consumer Protection Unit/Internet & Email Insurance: the Alaska Dept. of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development Division of Insurance Internet & Email: Alaska Dept. of Law/Consumer Protection Unit/Internet & Email Labor: Alaska Dept. of Labor and Workforce Development Landlord/Tenant: Alaska Dept. of Law/Consumer Protection Unit/Landlord & Tenant Long-Term Care Facilities: Dept. of Revenue/Alaska Long Term Care Ombudsman Marijuana: Marijuana Control Board Mining License: Alaska Dept. of Revenue Mortgages, Loans and Credit: Alaska Dept. of Law/Consumer Protection Unit/Mortgages, Loans & Credit Motor Vehicle, Trailer or Semi-Trailer Dealers: Alaska Dept. of Administration Division of Motor Vehicles Oil and Gas: Alaska Dept. of Administration Placer Mining: Alaska Dept. of Natural Resources Public Safety: Alaska Dept. of Public Safety Sand/Gravel Mining License: Alaska Dept. of Revenue Securities: Alaska Dept. of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development Division of Banking and Securities Sellers of Business Opportunities: Alaska Dept. of Law/Consumer Protection Unit/Sale of Business Opportunities Senior Service and Disability Services: Alaska Dept. Health & Social Services/Division of Senior and Disability Services Taxes: Such as alcohol, commercial passenger vessel, corporate income, electric cooperative, fisheries related taxes, gaming permits, large passenger vessel gambling tax, mining, motor fuel, oil and gas production, oil and gas property, partnerships, telephone cooperative, tire fee, tobacco, and vehicle rental. Alaska Dept. of Revenue Telemarketing: Alaska Dept. of Law/Consumer Protection Unit/Telemarketing Troopers: Division of Alaska State Troopers Vehicles: Alaska Dept. of Law/Consumer Protection Unit/Vehicles Water: Alaska Dept. of Environmental Conservation Wildlife Troopers: Division of Alaska State Troopers In addition, you may wish to contact any other relevant federal agencies, local government agencies (i.e. borough, city, municipal, or village), consumer resources and/or seek professional or legal counsel. Consumer Protection The Consumer Protection Unit of the Attorney General's Office investigates unfair or deceptive business practices and files legal actions on behalf of the State of Alaska to stop such practices. For more information including how to file a complaint go to Consumer Protection and Consumer Resources. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau The central mission of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is to make markets for consumer financial products and services work for Americans—whether they are applying for a mortgage, choosing among credit cards, or using any number of other consumer financial products. Consumers can file online complaints about financial products with the CFPB. Better Business Bureau BBB is a neutral not-for-profit organization that provides ethical business and advertising standards, BBB Business Reviews, Charity Review, complaint handling, and information on marketplace events and tips. For more information on the Alaska, Oregon, and Western Washington branch go to Better Business Bureau. National Do Not Call Registry The FTC manages the National Do Not Call Registry, often referred to as the Do Not Call List. Consumers can add their home or cellular telephone numbers to the registry to limit the number of telemarketing calls they receive. Consumers can also file complaints if they receive unwanted calls at a registered telephone number. National Consumer Law Center NCLC has developed a number of guides, brochures, and fact sheets to help consumers understand their rights and make the best choices possible despite difficult financial circumstances. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) The FTC works to protect consumers from unfair, deceptive or fraudulent practices in the marketplace. The FTC Bureau of Consumer Protection’s website has useful information and publications covering all areas of consumer protection and consumer fraud. National Fraud Information Center The National Fraud Information Center (NFIC) was created by the National Consumers League, the oldest private, non-profit advocacy group representing consumers on marketplace and workplace issues. The NFIC's purpose is to fight telemarketing fraud by improving prevention and enforcement. The NFIC accepts online complaints about telephone or internet fraud. Call for Action Call for Action (CFA) is an international, nonprofit network of consumer hotlines. When a consumer contacts CFA, a CFA volunteer will contact the company or agency directly to promote dispute resolution. CFA assists the general public and small businesses victimized by fraud and addresses other consumer issues such as: debit cards/electronic banking, telephone fraud, advance-fee loans, investment fraud and basic credit. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) For more information regarding the Internal Revenue Service, go to: www.irs.gov Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) is a partnership between the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C), and the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). The IC3 takes complaints from consumers regarding internet crime and refers complaints to law enforcement agencies. The IC3 issues internet scam alerts and provides tips for avoiding internet fraud. Consumer Product Safety Commission The Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death from thousands of types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Local government (i.e. borough, city, municipality, village) Check with your local government and chamber of commerce to see if you may file a complaint with them. Seek Legal Counsel Finding a Lawyer Lawyer Referral Service Alaska Legal Services Corporation Alaska Legal Services Corporation (ALSC) is a private, nonprofit law firm established in 1967, that provides free civil legal assistance to low-income Alaskans to: help resolve serious legal problems of low-income Alaskans; promote family, social and economic stability by upholding the rule of law; reduce the legal consequences of poverty; and improve the quality of life for our children, our families, the elderly and disadvantaged, and our community. Disability Law Center of Alaska The Disability Law Center of Alaska is a private non-profit law firm that provides legal advocacy in Alaska for people with disabilities. Represent Yourself Representing Yourself Information about Representing Yourself Alaska Court System For more information about filing with the Alaska Court System, including forms, go to Alaska Court System. 3. I believe my complaint is within the jurisdiction of this division. How do I file a complaint? To initiate a complaint against a business or professional, and to see if your complaint falls within our jurisdiction, fill out the request for contact form available on the Investigations web page. 4. I have a complaint about Alaska Statutes, who do I contact? Alaska Statutes are the law passed by the Alaska State Legislature. Go to Alaska State Legislature for the current members of the Alaska State Legislature, including your local Senator and Representative’s contact information. 5. I have a complaint about Alaska Regulations, who do I contact? The Legislature gives departments the authority in Alaska Statutes to adopt regulations. Contact the specific department, division and program regarding their regulations. Go to State of Alaska and under MY GOVERNMENT select the desired department for more information. This Division does not provide legal advice. The information contained within these webpages is provided for your convenience and is not to be interpreted as legal advice. It is your responsibility to know what your registering, reporting and filing requirements are based on your specific business activities. Not knowing what is expected of you may not preclude you from the legal obligation to meet these requirements and compliance with the law. You are encouraged to seek the advice of a professional, such as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and/or Attorney if you need additional assistance. Contact Us Professional Licensing Section Email: License@Alaska.Gov Corporations Section Email: Corporations@Alaska.Gov Business Licensing Section Email: BusinessLicense@Alaska.Gov