FORMING A COMPANY? BEWARE OF SCAMS!

This article is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. For legal advice pertaining to your specific business, please consult one of our attorneys.

Author: Robert Franco

​If you have recently formed a corporation or limited liability company by registering with the Secretary of State, you will likely receive letters asking for money, such as a 2021 Certificate of Existence Request Form.
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This may look and sound real because a Certificate of Existence is a real document you can order directly from the Secretary of State for $20, typically as at the request of an insurance company or the Secretary of State from a different state. But you can tell the notice is fake because the sender, “WA Certificate Service,” is not a government agency.
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One example of a fake letter one of our clients received.

If you receive a notice that looks like this or is asking for money related to forming your new company, contact a lawyer or the Secretary of State to confirm. If you have any questions regarding potential scams, or documents received regarding your business, please reach out to one of our attorneys.