LANSING, Mich. (WILX) – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has issued a consumer alert after third-party users sought access to business accounts through the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs’ MiBusiness Registry Portal.
The portal is an online system businesses use to submit filings to the department’s Corporations, Securities and Commercial Licensing Bureau.
On Feb. 24, two users requested access to more than 6,000 businesses despite having no affiliation with them.
One user, identified as “Developer Research,” requested access to 5,084 entities. Another, identified as “John Wick,” requested access to 978 entities, according to Nessel.
When an access request is submitted, the department sends an alert email to a business’s resident agent notifying them of the request and warning that, if approved, the user could submit documents on the entity’s behalf.
According to the attorney general’s office, the unauthorized users have been removed from all affected accounts. No documents were submitted without permission, and the system does not allow access to nonpublic information.
“While no sensitive information was compromised, it’s important that MiBusiness Registry Portal account holders carefully review their accounts to ensure their records remain secure and have a current email address on file,” said Nessel.
Nessel encourages businesses to take the following steps:
- Maintain an updated email address for the entity’s resident agent on file to receive timely notifications.
- Check portal records at least once every three months.
- Review all filings to ensure accuracy.
- Report any unauthorized filings to the department by phone or email.
- Check spam folders to ensure messages are not missed.
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