Other LanguagesRegistrar Agency LLC will pay more than $520,000 in a settlement to resolve allegations the company sent more than 190,000 solicitations to Washington businesses that deceptively appeared to be bills from a government agency.
Through texts and emails stylized to look like official government communications with an image of the state Capitol, the company contacted businesses across the state urging them to pay $159.98, nearly $100 more than the typical cost, to renew their businesses’ required annual report filings. More than two dozen businesses reported the solicitations to the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) saying they appeared to come from a state agency.
In response to a cease-and-desist letter from the state in early 2024, Registrar ceased business operations in Washington. Companies that were victims of Registrar’s improper solicitations will be eligible for restitution through a claims process. More information about the process will be shared at a later date.
“Our investigation helped stop these deceptive solicitations to Washington businesses,” Attorney General Nick Brown said. “This outcome is the result of the hard work of our consumer protection team, which works to ensure businesses follow our state laws and operate fairly and transparently.”
Under the agreement, Registrar will refrain from sending deceptive solicitations to businesses to pay inflated fees for governmental filings and will no longer use the image of the Washington State Capitol on its solicitations.
Managing Assistant Attorney General John Nelson, Assistant Attorney General Lauren Holzer, and Paralegals Anne Wallig, Kristina Winfield, and Avery Gault worked on the case for Washington.
Read the settlement agreement.
-30-
Washington’s Attorney General serves the people and the state of Washington. As the state’s largest law firm, the Attorney General’s Office provides legal representation to every state agency, board, and commission in Washington. Additionally, the Office serves the people directly by enforcing consumer protection, civil rights, and environmental protection laws. The Office also prosecutes elder abuse, Medicaid fraud, and handles sexually violent predator cases in 38 of Washington’s 39 counties. Visit www.atg.wa.gov to learn more.
Media Contact:
Email: press@atg.wa.gov
Phone: (360) 753-2727
General contacts: Click here