Wyoming Biz Tips for September

An occasional look at issues facing Wyoming business owners and entrepreneurs from the Wyoming Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network, a collection of business assistance programs at the University of Wyoming.

By Laura Baker, executive director, CyberWyoming and CyberWyoming Alliance

Wyoming business owners should be on the lookout for misleading emails and notices claiming that their Wyoming Annual Report deadline is approaching. These messages can look official; include accurate information about your business; and warn that failure to file could result in administrative dissolution.

While the annual report requirement itself is legitimate, the message you receive may not be.

How the Scam Works

Several Wyoming businesses have recently reported receiving emails directing them to third-party websites to complete their annual report filings. One example directed business owners to a website called file-wyoming.com, while another came from an email address associated with wy.file-wy.com.

These messages may include specific information about your business, such as your business name; your original filing date; your principal business address; your annual report deadline; and warnings about administrative dissolution.

Including accurate business information can make these messages appear especially convincing. However, Wyoming business registration information is public record, making it possible for third parties to collect this information and use it in solicitations.

The Red Flags

Some third-party filing services are legitimate businesses that charge a fee to complete filings on your behalf. The problem is that their communications can be designed to look like official government notices, making it difficult for business owners to recognize that they are dealing with a private company rather than the state.

Other messages may go beyond misleading marketing and attempt to collect sensitive information, including credit card or business banking information.

Watch for these warning signs:

-- Urgent or threatening language: Messages may warn that your business will be dissolved if you do not act immediately.

-- Official-looking notices: A professional design, government terminology or detailed information about your business does not necessarily mean the message came from the state.

-- Third-party websites: Be cautious when an email directs you to a website that is not a Wyoming government website.

-- Unexpected payment requests: You may be charged substantially more than the state filing fee for a service you can complete yourself.

-- Links in unsolicited emails: Even if a message appears legitimate, clicking the link can take you to a fraudulent or misleading website.

File Directly Through the State

The safest way to manage your Wyoming Annual Report is to go directly to the Wyoming secretary of state’s official website rather than clicking a link in an email.

The secretary of state provides an online annual report filing service through its official business portal. The office also offers businesses the option to receive electronic annual report reminders directly from the email SOS_AnnualReports@wyo.gov.

Do not rely on a link in an unsolicited message. Instead, navigate directly to the Wyoming secretary of state’s website and access the annual report online filing service from there.

When in Doubt, Stop and Verify

If you receive an annual report reminder that seems suspicious, don’t click the links or provide payment information until you have verified the notice. Remember that:

-- Your business information being correct does not mean the message is from the government.

-- You do not need a third-party filing service to submit your Wyoming Annual Report.

-- Avoid clicking links in unexpected filing reminders.

-- Access your annual report through the official Wyoming secretary of state business portal.

If you receive an electronic reminder from the state, verify that it comes from SOS_AnnualReports@wyo.gov.

Taking a few extra seconds to verify a filing notice can help protect your business from unnecessary fees, phishing attempts and fraud.

If you have questions about protecting your small business from scams or cybersecurity threats, the Wyoming SBDC Network offers no-cost advising and technical assistance to help Wyoming entrepreneurs think about, launch, grow, reinvent or exit their business. In 2025, the Wyoming SBDC Network helped Wyoming entrepreneurs start 42 new businesses; support 2,017 jobs; and bring a capital impact of $12.8 million to the state. The Wyoming SBDC Network is hosted by UW with state funds from the Wyoming Business Council and funded, in part, through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. Full funding disclosures are available at www.wyomingsbdc.org/about.

To ask a question, call 1-800-348-5194, email wsbdc@uwyo.edu or write Dept. 3922, 1000 E. University Ave., Laramie, WY 82071-3922.

For more information, go to www.wyomingsbdc.org.

All opinions, conclusions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.