OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs has issued a warning about fraudulent communications targeting business and non-profit owners in the state.
These scams often claim to be official notices from the Office of the Secretary of State’s (OSOS) Corporations and Charities Division, and typically involve false claims about business registration, verification, annual filings, or delinquencies. In many cases, scammers solicit payment amounts that exceed the state’s official fee schedule.
According to the OSOS, phone solicitations have specifically targeted Latino business owners, threatening fines and jail unless a $200 payment is made immediately.
Hobbs emphasized that business owners should be aware of these malicious attempts and file an online complaint with the Attorney General’s Office.
“Washington businesses are a foundational aspect of our state and critical to our economy’s health,” said Secretary Hobbs. “Business owners deserve to feel protected and equipped with information to deny malicious attempts on their franchise.”
The OSOS said fraudulent solicitations have evolved over time, with methods including direct mail, SMS texts with links to phishing sites, and phone calls that use publicly available information to appear legitimate.
The Attorney General’s Office has previously filed lawsuits against perpetrators of such scams.
Businesses and charities in Washington can always verify their filing status with the OSOS by visiting the Corporations and Charities Filing System (CCFS).
Registration-related questions can be answered by a representative through the rapid response chat feature on our website, at (360) 725-0377 or emailing corps@sos.wa.gov.
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