A Guide to Protecting Your Business and Recovering from Business Identity Theft

Business identity theft pamphlet (PDF)

Contents
Introduction
Prevention checklist
You are hereChecklist for victims
Additional identity theft resources

Checklist for victims

Resolving issues caused by business identity theft can be a time-consuming and challenging process. The following tips will help you if you are a victim.

  If either your business has been hijacked by unauthorized filings or, alternatively, a business has been created using your information without your consent, you can file a complaint. To do so, contact our office.

  If your business has been hijacked, you can also immediately go to the Colorado Secretary of State’s website and correct any fraudulent information by filing a Statement of Correction.

  • You have the option to attach additional information to your Statement of Correction, such as a written explanation of events. Be sure not to include any personal identifying information when attaching documents.
  • Check your business record with the Secretary of State often.
  • If you have not already signed up for email notification with the Secretary of State,  sign up for notifications now.
  • Sign up for  Secure Business Filing.

  Immediately contact your local law enforcement agency or the CBI- Identity Theft Unit at 1-855-443-3489 (24-hour hotline) or 303-239-4242 (Victim Assistance Program) or at www.cbivictimsupport.com to request the help of a Victim Advocate.

  Immediately contact your bank(s) and credit card provider(s) and report the theft.

  Contact the largest credit reporting agencies and speak with their fraud departments to report the crime and view your business credit report.

  • Equifax 1-888-378-4329
  • Experian 1-888-397-3742
  • TransUnion 1-800-680-7289

  Place a fraud alert on your business accounts.

  If you have a business, compare your EIN with the EIN of the business and report any differences to the credit reporting agencies.

  Contact your business creditors, billing companies, and creditors where fraudulent accounts were opened and notify them of the criminal activity perpetrated and request copies of all documentation used to access the account(s).

  Document contacts, including names, titles, phone numbers, and extensions. Include the names and numbers of all law enforcement officers you contact. If you are transferred a number of times, ask the person you eventually speak with for a direct phone number.

  Follow up all calls with a letter (with a return receipt). Also, follow up and make sure that agencies or institutions have received all documents that they need to assist you.

  Maintain information. Do not throw away files related to the identity theft. Keep all notes, correspondences, print outs of emails, copies of reports, and other documents in a secure and accessible file.

  Check your credit report.