An Olympia-based company will pay more than $520,000 and cease operations to settle allegations it sought to deceive businesses across the state with what looked like bills from a government agency. 

The Washington State Attorney General’s Office began investigating Registrar Agency LLC after dozens of businesses reported solicitations it received from the company, according to a release. The texts and emails in question resembled official government communications, including using an image of the state Capitol, and urged them to pay nearly $160 to renew their required annual report filings. That amount is nearly $100 more than the typical cost of that process. 

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.”