(Statewide) – A Laramie business recently reported receiving a suspicious email that appeared to be connected to Wyoming annual report filings.
The email came from an address using the domain “@ar.wy-annualreport” and claimed the Wyoming annual report filing window was open, according to a notice published by the Wyoming Cybersecurity Action Network. It warned that failure to file could result in administrative dissolution.
What made the message especially concerning is that it included business-specific details, such as the filing date, formation state, principal address, and annual report due date — details that could make the email appear legitimate at first glance.
However, the formatting and language differed from official communications from the Wyoming Secretary of State’s Office. After contacting the Secretary of State’s Office directly, the business owner confirmed the email was not associated with the agency.
CyberWyoming says the message was likely a scam or misleading solicitation designed to resemble an official government notice.
Some of these messages may come from private third-party companies using aggressive or misleading tactics to pressure businesses into paying them to file annual reports. In many cases, businesses can file directly with the state for a much lower cost.
Business owners should treat unexpected “urgent government filing” emails as suspicious, especially if they create a sense of urgency or threaten penalties.
CyberWyoming recommends:
- Do not click links in unexpected filing emails
- Do not reply to suspicious messages
- Verify independently by visiting the official Wyoming Secretary of State website
- Contact the agency directly using known, trusted contact information