Examples of Potentially Confusing or Misleading “Notices” & “Solicitations”
The Washington Office of the Attorney General filed a consumer protection lawsuit regarding deceptive solicitation, additional details can be found here.
Our office has received inquiries regarding a phone call to individuals after their business formation is filed telling them they need to purchase a Labor Poster. This solicitor is falsely misrepresenting themselves as the Washington Secretary of State. Please contact LnI to request the required items for free. Our office is aware of third-party solicitations that circulate to new and existing registered businesses. Please note, a third-party service is not required to submit filings to our office.
Always take caution when reporting your business information. Here are some useful tips to Prevent and Detect Business Identity Theft.
Most Recent Misleading Notice
This Notice example was brought to our office 11/08/2024 and unlike other solicitations listed below, it does not let the customer know they can file with our office. This notice is misleading and might not contain accurate information.
Solicitation Types
Solicitations take multiple forms such as text messages, emails, phone calls & mailings
Text Messages
- The Corporations and Charities Division does not communicate through text messages. We also do not use Google Forms or send them via text.
Emails
- All official email communication is sent from an email that ends in sos.wa.gov
Phone Calls
- The Corporations and Charities Division will only communicate by phone if a request or form has been submitted to our office, or you have requested or initiated a callback
Mailings
- All notices or documents sent by mail include the Washington Secretary of State, Corporations and Charities Division Letterhead
- Correction letters are sent in response to a request or form submitted to our office
- Many of our notices are auto generated based on an expiration renewal date. These notices include website links that lead you to www.sos.wa.gov
For more information about notices and methods of communication from the Corporations and Charities Division, please visit our Frequently Asked Topic, I think I received a notice from your office, what should I do?
Click on each tile for examples of Notices and Solicitations that have been reported to our office.
The examples shown below do not come from the Office of the Secretary of State:
THIRD PARTY REGISTRATION SOLICITATIONS
The Secretary of State is not permitted to provide legal advice and communications originating from our office will not tell you if you are required to register. For more information on starting or registering a business in Washington State, please visit our How to Start a Business Frequently Asked Questions Page.
Registrar Agency of Corporations
THIRD PARTY ANNUAL REPORT SOLICITATIONS
An annual report must be filed each year by the end of the anniversary month and can be easily filed using the Corporations and Charities Filing System (CCFS) by selecting express annual report, or by logging in to your CCFS customer profile. The filing fee is only $70 for for-profit businesses.
The Office of the Secretary of State will send notices directly to registered businesses. An email notice will come 60 days prior to expiration; a paper notice sent via U.S. mail, is sent 45-60 days prior to expiration if electronic notification is not selected. This office does not currently send text messages.
eFileBusiness.com
eFile Washington
Washington Annual Reporting Corporations & Charities Filing System
THIRD PARTY CERTIFICATE SOLICITATIONS
A Certificate of Existence can be ordered online from the Corporations and Charities Filing System (CCFS) for $20 and the request form takes only a few minutes to complete. A Certificate of Existence is issued to certify the records on file with the Office of the Secretary of State are current and the entity is authorized to do business in the State of Washington. A Certificate of Existence is not generally required unless it is specifically requested in the course of business.
Washington Certificate Service
THIRD PARTY TRADEMARK SOLICITATIONS
For additional resources and information, please refer to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) webpages: Recognizing common scams | USPTO or What to do if you've been scammed | USPTO.
You may also contact the State Bar Association in the State where the communication was received. Because attorneys sign some of these notices, the Bar Associations may be notified. Scam Alert (wsba.org)
Trademark Excellence
