Local businesses may receive fraudulent notices appearing to come from a state agency. Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs is advising residents not to believe these scam communications.
The fake notices appear to target business owners, urging them to register or validate their company, file yearly returns, or pay delinquent fees. The monies requested have frequently exceeded the state’s charge schedule.
Phone solicitations primarily target Latino business owners, threatening fines and jail if they do not file soon and requesting a $200 payment.
“Washington businesses are a foundational aspect of our state and critical to our economy’s health,” Hobbs said in a statement. “Business owners deserve to feel protected and equipped with information to deny malicious attempts on their franchise.”
The Secretary of State’s Office in Washington is in charge of state election management, as well as the registration of corporations and charities.
Businesses that receive these bogus communications can report the occurrence at atg.wa.gov/file-complaint.