This editor received a suspicious request for annual filing and submitted a verification request to the Secretary of State’s office. They replied, And it was not a legitimate email. I was directed to look at other examples of scams on the SOS.WA.Gov website. You can see those examples by following the link below.

From the Secretary of State’s office:

That message is not from our office. If you receive any notification that says it’s from us and the site linked, that doesn’t end with .GOV, it is not from us. Here is a link to current examples of notices like this, NOT from OSOS. https://www.sos.wa.gov/about-office/news/2023/examples-notices-not-osos

Please note our office sends annual report due date notices a month before the annual report expires and the annual report filing fee is $60 if filed by the due date.

So look three times before following links. These emails can be tricky and confusing especially when you are busy. Best advice when you receive any official notification is to log into your Secretary of State account (or DOL or DOR) and look for any notifications of filing’s due or overdue. Set your calendar reminder for annual document and license renewal dates.

The below screen is where I landed when I followed a link in an official looking email. It is a SCAM. Note that the URL address does not say .GOV. Be vigilant and report scams if you can take the time to do so.