The Oregon Corporation Division

not to respond to an official-looking solicitation offering to file their annual corporate report to avoid dissolution by the state.

from the Corporate Regulatory Committee of Salem offers to submit an annual report to the division for $238. It warns businesses that Secretary of State Kate Brown, who oversees the division, could dissolve a corporation that does not deliver its annual report when due.

State officials note that companies can do this themselves online or by mail for $100.

"We’re hoping to warn businesses to pay close attention to these types of mail solicitations and not fall victim," division director Peter Threlkel said. He said his staff has received more than 200 inquiries about the letter's legitimacy.

Division records show Nicolai Praporscic of Salem applied Jan. 3 to register the

as an assumed business name.

The division says businesses who paid Praporscic's firm to file their annual report should request a refund from the company or contact

.

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