Montana Business Owners Warned About Fake Filing Notices Demanding Money

Montana business owners are being warned to keep a close eye on their mailboxes and inboxes.

Christi Jacobsen, Montana’s Secretary of State, is alerting businesses about deceptive mailings and emails that look official but demand large payments to file business documents or annual reports.

Read More: What Montanans Think About Political Polls And Engagement

According to the Secretary of State’s office, these notices often come from private companies using official-sounding names and government-style formatting. While some include small-print disclaimers saying they are not affiliated with the government, the overall design can still make them appear legitimate.

The key thing for Montana businesses to know: filing your annual report may not cost you anything right now.

Jacobsen has waived the annual report filing fee for all Montana businesses that submit their report by April 15, 2026. Businesses can safely file their 2026 annual report or access official documents directly through the state’s official business portal.

The State has been reducing fees and redundant paperwork.

The fee waiver is part of a broader effort by the Secretary of State’s office to reduce paperwork and costs for business owners. Jacobsen began waiving the fee in 2024 and has also announced the filing fee will be waived again in 2027.

“I made a promise to make it easier to do business in Montana,” Jacobsen said in a statement. “I won’t stand by and let these deceptive solicitations, which often stem from out-of-state, take advantage of hard-working Montanans.”

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Last year, one organization was forced to stop its practices after receiving a cease-and-desist letter.

How to spot a scam

State officials say businesses should:

• Look closely for disclaimers stating the document is a "solicitation or advertisement."
• Ignore mail or emails demanding large filing fees
• Avoid sending money to third-party companies claiming to handle state filings

If you receive a suspicious notice, officials say it’s best to ignore it or request removal from the sender’s mailing list.

For most Montana businesses, the safest place to file annual reports or access official documents remains the state’s official Secretary of State website.