Secretary of State
Kentucky Businesses Beware of Scam Filings Notifications

Secretary of State Trey Grayson announced a warning today to Kentucky businesses of a scam that is currently circulating in the neighboring states of Ohio and Indiana. The scam targets businesses, informing them that they are required by law to submit an “Annual Minutes Disclosure Statement.” The letter solicits an annual fee of $125 or $150 and claims it will be used for record keeping and processing of the annual minutes. It gives the appearance of coming from a legitimate government agency and cites fictitious state law.

“Businesses need to be on alert for this scam and immediately report it if seen,” stated Secretary Grayson.  “Official documents from my office will always include my name and the appropriate seal.”

Because most entities that conduct business within the Commonwealth are required to register with the Office of the Secretary of State and are required to file annual reports with the Office, many might mistake this mailing as an official mailing from the Kentucky Office of the Secretary of State.  However, this letter is not official correspondence from the Office of the Secretary of State or any other Kentucky state agency. Kentucky law does not require such a document, nor can such a document be filed with the Secretary of State as a business filing.

However, all Corporations, Limited Liability Companies (LLCs), Partnerships, Limited Liability Partnerships, Business Trusts, and Professional Service Corporations (PSCs) that are registered with the state, are required to file an annual report with the Secretary of State by June 30 of each year.  Failure to file the annual report will result in the company being listed in bad standing with the office and could lead to administrative dissolution or revocation of authority to do business in Kentucky.  The easiest way to make an annual report filing is by doing so online at www.sos.ky.gov/annualreports.

If citizens have questions relating to business filings, please contact the Office of the Secretary of State at (502) 564-3490.  If citizens have already responded to such a letters and believe you are a victim of this scam, please contact the Office of the Attorney General at 1-888-432-9257.  The Indiana Office of the Secretary of State has announced that they are working with federal law enforcement officials on the issue.  

# # #