These have been going on in California for many years.
Our state legislature regulated it in a few ways:
No business names that imply or use government names or "City" or "County" or other such words that can be misinterpreted.
A large print disclaimer notice across the letterhead in clear letters is required that says you can get such papers from local gov., and that this company is not a public agency, etc.
These are the same firms offering to submit homeowner exemption forms for assessed value reduction; something that assessors offices do for free.
Knowing your consumer and property owner rights is important. These businesses are providing a service to people that work 8-5 daily in other areas and cannot get to the local county offices readily. I have no sympathy for Atherton, Hillsboroough, and Woodside mansion owners in our area, who pay $87. But, as I've reiterated before about free markets, you can mow your own lawn for free or pay someone to do it for you, but nobody going to do it for you as no such charity exists.
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