** Scammers continue to target small Washington businesses

The Washington Attorney General's office has issued a warning to small businesses regarding a concerning trend of scam letters that demand excessive payments while masquerading as legitimate notices from the Secretary of State. These letters create a false sense of legitimacy, threatening business owners with fines and potential dissolution. Attorney General Bob Ferguson emphasizes the significance of protecting Washington's businesses, which are essential to the state's economic well-being. With more than 40 reports of such scams, the AG's office advises business owners to verify any claims directly with the Secretary of State's office before taking any action. Notably, these letters often include a California address and direct recipients to a .

org website via a QR code, a common tactic employed by scammers. Business owners are encouraged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious communications to the AG's office. This warning highlights the increasing sophistication of scams targeting local businesses, underscoring the need for heightened awareness to protect individual enterprises and strengthen Washington's broader economic landscape.