Scam letters demand payment for state business filings
OLYMPIA — Attorney General Bob Ferguson is warning of a scammer posing as the Secretary of State’s Office targeting Washington small businesses. The scam letters demand payment well beyond the cost of state business filings, and threaten business owners with fines or dissolution of their business for failing to comply. The Secretary of State has also received reports of similar telephone scams targeting Latino businesses, where they were also threatened with jail.
Since early November, the Attorney General’s Office has received at least 40 complaints about these letters, which ask for payments to be sent to “State of Washington Business Entities.”
“Scammers can be sophisticated, but don’t be fooled,” Ferguson said. “Be on the lookout for signs of a scam. If you think you’ve been the target of a scam, contact my office.”
The letters, which include the Washington state seal, are designed to look like official government communications. In addition to demanding excessive fees, they threaten late fees or penalties for failing to pay in a timely manner. One example showed a “billing summary” of more than $200 for filings that are either unnecessary or could be done directly with the Secretary of State for much less.
The letters are addressed to businesses directly and can have their Unified Business Identifier (UBI) number, making the letter appear official. However, business names and UBIs are publicly available, not confidential.
There are clues that the letter is a scam. For example, a letter shared with the Attorney General’s Office lists a Sacramento, Calif., address in its letterhead for the Washington Secretary of State, as well as a post office box in “Olympia, CA.” The QR code on the letter directs business owners to a website ending in .org, as opposed to the real Secretary of State’s website, which ends in .gov.
If you receive a letter like this, contact the Secretary of State’s office to inquire about the status of your business filings. If you have already paid after receiving a letter, consider stopping payment through your financial institution.
Any business or nonprofit that believes it may be the target of a scam should file a complaint with the Attorney General’s Office.
The Secretary of State offers comprehensive guides for small businesses and nonprofits.
Businesses and charities in Washington can always verify their filing status with the Secretary of State by visiting the Corporations and Charities Filing System (CCFS). Registration-related questions can be answered by a representative through the rapid response chat feature on the Secretary of State’s website, at (360) 725-0377 or by emailing corps@sos.wa.gov.
The Secretary of State’s Corporations and Charities division provides examples of false solicitations and how to spot them on the Misleading “Notices” & “Solicitations” FAQ webpage. To verify a communication regarding a business or nonprofit is legitimate, business owners can reference the Corporations & Charities factsheet.
Ferguson’s Small Business Protection Initiative goes after companies using deceptive practices to target small businesses
Last month, a King County Superior Court judge ordered EFile Business Inc. and Online Filing LLC to pay $450,636 for sending more than 147,000 deceptive text messages and thousands of emails to Washington businesses and nonprofits demanding excessive payment for common business filings. Ferguson filed a lawsuit against the businesses in May of 2023, and won a court order later that year shutting down the companies’ websites and suspending their internet domains.
In January, Ferguson filed a third enforcement action against three Michigan brothers who continually target small businesses around the country.
The details of their schemes vary, but they all involve deceptive solicitations giving the false impression that they are mandatory bills from a government agency. In 2008, after an Attorney General’s Office investigation, their company Mandatory Poster Agency entered into a legally enforceable agreement that it would provide full refunds to Washington businesses and stop the unlawful conduct to avoid a penalty.
Mandatory Poster Agency did not stop, and in 2014, the Attorney General’s Office filed a consumer protection lawsuit and won. In March 2016, a King County Superior Court judge ruled that Mandatory Poster Agency violated the Consumer Protection Act 79,354 times and ordered civil penalties and restitution of $1.15 million.
The most recent lawsuit is against their new company, Labor Law Poster Service. In November, the King County Superior Court found that the brothers’ business practices violated the Consumer Protection Act and will impose civil penalties during the remedies phase of the case in January.
In November 2022, as a result of a lawsuit filed by Ferguson, a King County Superior Court judge ordered CA Certificate Service and Labor Poster Compliance and their owners to pay more than $24.8 million for their unlawful conduct targeting small business owners. The companies sent hundreds of thousands of letters to Washington business owners that deceptively appeared to originate from the government. The letters demanded payments for posters or certificates that they deceptively implied were required to purchase. The certificate is not mandatory and available from the state for a fraction of the cost that CA Certificate Service demanded. The posters are available from state and federal agencies for free.
IN OTHER STATE NEWS HEADLINES
Do you have hazardous materials outside? Here's how to prepare for winter weather.
Decide what to do with your waste
Assess outdoor stockpiles of scrap materials, equipment, vehicles, and chemicals (such as oils, lubricants, solvents, cleaning supplies, and paint).To decide what to do with your dangerous waste
Marine Area 10 (Seattle-Bremerton Area) reopens Dec. 6 for late-winter crab fishing season.
OLYMPIA – Marine Area 10 (Seattle-Bremerton Area) will reopen to recreational crab fishing seven days per week from Dec. 6 through Dec. 31, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) shellfish managers announced today./WDFW
Fish and Wildlife Commission meets Dec. 12-14 in Cle Elum.
CLE ELUM, Wash. – The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission will meet in Cle Elum Dec. 12-14 to decide on its 2025 meeting schedule, pygmy rabbit status recommendation, and land transactions; and to be briefed on the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (WDFW) Lands 20/20 process, Willapa Bay salmon management policy, northern spotted owls, and carnivore hunting frameworks; and for committee meetings./WDFW
https://wdfw.wa.gov/newsroom/news-release/fish-and-wildlife-commission-meets-dec-12-14-cle-elum
Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe selected as Washington’s first Health Equity Zone for Native communities.
The grant supports efforts to address health inequities and develop community action plans/DOH
Office of the Secretary of State Certifies 2024 General Election Results.
OLYMPIA – The Office of the Secretary of State certified statewide results of the 2024 General Election on Wednesday, Dec. 4.
According to vote totals certified by Secretary of State Steve Hobbs, 3.96 million voters, or 78.94% of registered voters, returned ballots in the Nov. 5 election. Using Washington’s secure vote-by-mail system, 66.47% of voters returned ballots to official county drop boxes, and 32.78% of voters returned ballots by mail./Sec. of State
NEWS FROM OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION:
Cantwell & Murray Announce $18.5M For Fish & Wildlife Conservation Projects
Lummi, Skokomish, Colville & Lower Elwha Klallam Tribes -- as well WA Dept. of Fish & Wildlife and Chelan County - receive federal funding; Grants will help restore salmon & wildlife habitat; improve health, biodiversity of WA public lands./from a press release issued 12.5.24
Cantwell Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Promote U.S. Leadership in Global Race for Quantum Technology
state workers poised to lead U.S. in quantum research and application./From press release issued 12.5.24
Senator Murray Announces $57.8 Million in Funding to Support Critical Water Infrastructure Projects in Chelan, Kittitas, and Grant Counties./From press release issued 12.4.24
Senator Murray, Rep. Gomez Reintroduce Jeanette Acosta Invest in Women’s Health Act./from press release issued 12.4. 24
WORLD, NATIONAL, BUSINESS:
WORLD:
Fifth Committee Delegates Voice Concern over Disproportionate Impact of Proposed Budget Cuts on International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals in 2025./UN PRESS RELEASE
https://press.un.org/en/2024/gaab4481.doc.htm
Don’t Leave Migrants Behind, Says Deputy Secretary-General in Introducing United Nations Report on Global Compact./UN PRESS RELEASE
https://press.un.org/en/2024/dsgsm1956.doc.htm
Syria’s Declaration on Chemical Weapons Programme ‘Cannot Be Considered Accurate’, Disarmament Chief Tells Security Council, Citing Gaps, Inconsistencies./UN PRESS RELEASE
https://press.un.org/en/2024/sc15923.doc.htm
Secretary Antony J. Blinken Before His Meeting With Civil Society./US STATE DEPT.
https://www.state.gov/secretary-antony-j-blinken-before-his-meeting-with-civil-society/
Remarks at a UN Security Council Briefing on Syria Chemical Weapons./ USUN
https://usun.usmission.gov/remarks-at-a-un-security-council-briefing-on-syria-chemical-weapons-3/
NATION:
Remarks by National Economic Council Deputy Director Daniel Hornung on Biden-Harris Efforts to Build and Preserve Housing to Lower Costs, and Opportunities Ahead./WH
Austin Signs New Strategy for Countering Effects of Unmanned Systems/DOD
Five Current and Former Correctional Officers and One Nurse Indicted for Federal Civil Rights Violations./DOJ
HUD, FEMA Partner to Increase Post-Disaster Housing Capabilities
WASHINGTON - On November 19th and 20th, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) held a summit to launch the Pre-Disaster Housing Initiative, which helps states develop plans to boost their post-disaster housing capabilities. During an eight-month period, both agencies will provide technical assistance and guidance to Kentucky, Michigan, and Missouri state officials and emergency managers to maximize housing-centric planning that can help mitigate potential housing shortfalls in communities when disasters strike./HUD
https://www.hud.gov/press/press_releases_media_advisories/HUD_No_24_315
DHS Strengthens Maritime Cybersecurity and Chemical Security Cooperation with the Philippines During Third Indo-Pacific Exercise of 2024/DHS
BUSINESS:
Biden-Harris Administration Announces CHIPS Incentives Awards with Absolics and Entegris to Support Development of Advanced Packaging Technology and Onshore Materials for Leading-Edge Chip Production./US DEPT. of COMMERCE
USDA Announces New Federal Order, Begins National Milk Testing Strategy to Address H5N1 in Dairy Herds
New Federal Order Will Require National Milk Testing and Support State Officials and Dairy Regulators; Builds on Actions to Protect Farms, Farmworkers and Communities from H5N1 Avian Influenza./USDA
President and CEO of Las Vegas-Based Company Sentenced for Role in Investment Fraud Scheme Where He Stole Millions in Victim Investor Funds./DOJ
IRS Criminal Investigation releases FY24 Annual Report; details agency’s global reach, billion-dollar impact./IRS
US Department of Labor announces selection of 13 states, District of Columbia to join initiative expanding opportunities for people with disabilities./DEPT. of LABOR
https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/odep/odep20241205
IN FOCUS & LOCAL MEETINGS
IN FOCUS: Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz Visits Site of Future Habitat for Humanity Development.
ranz Discusses Innovative Solutions to the Affordable Housing Crisis with Tri-Cities Leaders
Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz visited Pasco Thursday with city leaders to tour the site of a future Habitat for Humanity project that will help address the affordable housing crisis.
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Tri-County Partners Habitat for Humanity recently entered into a Land Use License to begin early planning to construct 100 affordable housing units on 16 acres of state land. In addition to meeting critical housing needs, the partnership will help fund K-12 education.
“This innovative partnership is an excellent example of how state lands can be used to meet critical housing needs,” said Commissioner Franz. “We need to use every tool to ensure everyone in Washington has a roof over their heads. State lands are a scalable solution to address this crisis – DNR has thousands of acres of land that can be used for housing while meeting the economic needs of communities.”
The Department of Natural Resources has over 3,000 acres of residential “transition” land—empty lots, vacant plots, and open lands—in and around cities across the state. These plots do not generate revenue for DNR’s trust beneficiaries because they are surrounded by other developed land. Commissioner Franz believes these lands can help increase the supply of much-needed housing and make it more affordable.
In the 2024 Legislative session, Commissioner Franz worked with Representative April Connors on legislation to incentivize developers to build on public lands. HB 2003 removes a 12.84% leasehold excise tax for developers who commit to maintaining housing for low—to moderate-income homeowners. The legislation is intended to make constructing housing on public lands easier while providing a new revenue stream for local schools and libraries.
"Washington is the nation’s fifth most unaffordable state for housing and faces the troubling reality of having the fewest housing units per household. Addressing this crisis requires bold solutions, like this Habitat for Humanity project, which demonstrates the impact and scalability enabled by House Bill 2003. By reducing barriers to building on state lands, we can increase affordable housing options for families, keep young workers in Washington, and ensure seniors have the stability they deserve,” said State Representative April Connors
Commissioner Franz also visited the home of a future Costco in Richland, which will provide much-needed services to the Tri-Cities, boost the local economy, and generate revenue for the Common School Trust.
“These properties are excellent examples of how public lands can support our state's economic well-being and address our neighbors' critical needs. I’m proud of the strong work DNR and our partners do,” said Commissioner Franz.
CLALLAM COUNTY MEETINGS:
Clallam County work session for 12.9.24
https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12092024-1369
Clallam County Commission meeting for 12.10.24
https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12102024-1370
DDAC Committee meeting for 12.10.24
https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12102024-1368
City of Sequim Council meeting for 12.9.24
https://sequimwa.civicweb.net/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Org=Cal&Id=128
Clallam County PUD meeting 12.9.24
https://go.boarddocs.com/wa/clallampud/Board.nsf/Public
City of Forks Council meeting for 12.9.24
https://forkswashington.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Agenda-20241209.pdf
JEFFERSON COUNTY MEETINGS:
Jefferson County Meeting for 12.9.24
https://www.co.jefferson.wa.us/Calendar.aspx?EID=3034
Weekly devotional
John 11:25 (New International Version)
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die;
Weekly Bible Lesson:
Theistic Evolution
The word “theistic” comes from the Greek word θεός (theos). Organic evolution is evolution apart from God. Theistic Evolution is using evolution as the tool of God. The doctrine of theistic evolution claims that God created and developed things, but that He did it by evolution over billions of years. People teach this to try to harmonize the Bible with the guesses of science.--TFTW
https://truthfortheworld.org/theistic-evolution
Free bible studies (WBS)
https://www.worldbibleschool.org/
Learn English using the bible as text (WEI)
http://www.worldenglishinstitute.org/
(Join us in worship every Sunday starting at 10:30AM Church of Christ)
1233 E Front St, Port Angeles, WA 98362
Come and See
https://www.comeandseefoundation.org/
THIS WEEKS VIDEOS:
Glenn & Panel DEBATE Trump’s 10 Most Controversial Cabinet Picks.
The last five years, including the pandemic, have destroyed trust in the federal government. The election handed Trump a mandate to do something about it — to root out the corruption and waste at the heart of this distrust. Trump has not taken the safe path with his Cabinet and agency picks: Kash Patel (FBI), Tulsi Gabbard (DNI), Pete Hegseth (DOD), Pam Bondi (AG), Kristi Noem (Homeland Security), Tom Homan (border czar), RFK Jr. (HHS), Dr. Jay Bhattacharya (NIH), Linda McMahon (Education), Lori Chavez-DeRemer (Labor), and Scott Bessent (Treasury). He has mostly gone for firebrands — nominees who are already sending the establishment into a panic. Will this strategy actually work? Or is the firebrand approach doomed out of the gate? BlazeTV’s Steve Deace, Liz Wheeler, Stu Burguiere, and Jason Buttrill join Glenn along with recovering investment banker Carol Roth and FBI whistleblower Steve Friend to break down the Cabinet controversies and debate these nominees. Will the swamp establishment let them survive the nomination process?--Glenn Beck
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHpYUhdCgF4
Liberty and Learning - Part Three
Join Mark Levin and Dr. Larry Arnn, President of Hillsdale College, as they explore the profound impact of the Declaration of Independence on American liberty and education in "Liberty and Learning," Episode 3. Dive into the historical significance of this foundational document, its universal principles, and how it continues to shape the nation's values. Discover the role of education in promoting freedom, the importance of natural law, and the legacy of Hillsdale College in upholding these ideals. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in understanding the roots of American democracy and the ongoing struggle for liberty.
Liberty and Learning with Mark Levin and Larry Arnn is a 10-part series, hosted by veteran broadcaster and constitutional law expert, Mark Levin, and his good friend, Dr. Larry Arnn, President of Hillsdale College, dives deep into the founding principles of the U.S., as Americans face both crisis and opportunity. Levin and Arnn take listeners on a journey forward, as they unpack the country’s basic foundations and the self-government they require.
Mark Levin and Dr. Arnn bring their knowledge and wisdom to bear in a candid conversation between lifelong friends on today’s latest news events. They will touch on the points of crisis in America, addressing each in light of our constitutional government, and tackling the pressing issues of our time to see how they fit into the grand tapestry of American history. The discussion will delve deep into the issues at the forefront of our nation’s concerns, like education, borders, citizenship, separation of powers, state and local government, and much more.---Mark Levin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjdXyzcE8AM
Sunday morning worship at the Concord Street Church of Christ on December 1, 2024. David Pharr preached a sermon titled “Our Country is Heaven”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnAPv96CHyo
Other News Sources:
Obama Just Accused Republicans of What Democrats Are Doing, and It’s Nothing Less Than Ominous/PJ MEDIA
Remembering Pearl Harbor
“To be prepared for war, is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace.” —George Washington (1790)
In October 1940, President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared, “I have said this before, but I shall say it again and again and again: Your boys are not going to be sent into any foreign wars.” This was a reiteration of his earlier assertion, “We are keeping out of the wars that are going on in Europe and in Asia. … Our opponents are seeking to frighten the country by telling people that the present administration is deliberately … drifting into war. You know better than that.”--Patriot Post
https://patriotpost.us/references/84702-remembering-pearl-harbor
Biden’s Penultimate Betrayal
If anyone thinks the man has been working for the United States, they are wrong.--American Spectator
https://spectator.org/bidens-penultimate-betrayal/
NIGHT OWL COMICS
https://pjrnightowlcomics.blogspot.com/
The Port Angeles Globe is published weekly by, Peter Ripley
