Small Business Identity Theft On the Rise - Tips To Safeguard Your Business

Small Business Identity Theft On The Rise – Tips To Safeguard Your Business

Small business identity theft is a big business for identity thieves. Just like individuals, businesses may have their identities stolen, and their sensitive information used to open credit card accounts or to file fraudulent tax refunds. As such, small business owners should be on guard against a growing wave of identity theft against employers.

Small business identity theft is a big business for identity thieves. Just like individuals, businesses may have their identities stolen, and their sensitive information used to open credit card accounts or to file fraudulent tax refunds. As such, small business owners should be on guard against a growing wave of identity theft against employers.

In the past year, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has noted a sharp increase in the number of fraudulent Forms 1120, 1120S and 1041, as well as Schedule K-1. These fraudulent filings apply to partnerships, as well as estate and trust forms.

Security Summit partners (IRS, state tax agencies, and the private-sector tax community) have expanded efforts to better protect business filers and identify suspected identity theft returns.

Identity thieves display a sophisticated knowledge of the tax code and industry filing practices and have long made use of stolen Employer Identification Numbers (EINs), which they use to create fake Forms W-2. These fake Forms W-2 are then used to file with fraudulent individual tax returns.

Fraudsters also used EINs to open new lines of credit or obtain credit cards but, until recently, were only targeting individuals. Now, they are using company names and EINs to file fraudulent returns.

What to Look For

As with fraudulent individual returns, there are certain signs that may indicate business identity theft. Business, partnership, and estate and trust filers should be on guard against potential identity theft and contact the IRS if they experience any of these issues:

• Extension to file requests are rejected because a return with the EIN or Social Security number is already on file;

• An e-filed return is rejected because a duplicate EIN/SSN is already on file with the IRS;

• An unexpected receipt of a tax transcript or IRS notice that doesn’t correspond to anything submitted by the filer.

• Failure to receive expected and routine correspondence from the IRS because the thief has changed the address.

New Procedures to Protect Businesses in 2018

The IRS, state tax agency and software providers also share certain data points from returns, including business returns, which help identify a suspicious filing. The IRS and states also are asking that business and tax practitioners provide additional information that will help verify the legitimacy of the tax return.

For 2018, these “know your customer” procedures are being put in place and include the following questions:

• The name and SSN of the company executive authorized to sign the corporate tax return. Is this person authorized to sign the return?

• Payment history. Were estimated tax payments made? If yes, when were they made, how were they made and how much was paid?

• Parent company information. Is there a parent company? If yes, who?

• Additional information based on deductions claimed.

• Filing history. Has the business filed Form(s) 940, 941 or other business-related tax forms?

Sole Proprietorships

Sole proprietorships that file Schedule C and partnerships filing Schedule K-1 with Form 1040 also will be asked to provide additional information items, such as a driver’s license number. Providing this information will help the IRS and states identify suspicious business-related returns.

Security

For small businesses looking for a place to start on security, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) produced the publication: Small Business Information Security: The Fundamentals. NIST is the branch of the U.S. Commerce Department that sets information security frameworks followed by federal agencies.

The United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT) has a special section on its website dedicated to “Resources for Small and Midsize Businesses.” Many secretaries of state also provide resources on business-related identity theft.

For more information about business-related identity theft, visit the IRS website and search for Identity Protection: Prevention, Detection and Victim Assistance.

You May Also Like

Tax Planning Strategies For 2023

As the end of your tax year approaches, several general rules might help guide you to real tax savings.

The owners, operators and managers of many service and repair shops rely on the tax-saving abilities of professionals or software programs. Substantial tax savings are, however, largely the result of moves undertaken before the close of the tax year.

The income-shifting strategy of accelerating income to offset unusually high expenses, or postponing income until a later year when the tax bill may be lower, works only for those using the cash basis method of accounting. Every business can, fortunately, employ a number of legitimate strategies before the end of the year that make tax preparation easier, as well as producing a smaller tax bill.

How First-Time Auto Shop Owners Can Find Financing Options

Find financing by knowing your market, making yourself viable and having an experienced team.

Trends That Drive Aftermarket Service Opportunities

Economic data is often out of date before it’s been analyzed – but here’s current information about the auto aftermarket.

Supply Chain Procurement Management 101: Making Better Purchasing Decisions

Strategies for managing the impact of freight disruption.

Use This Everyday Technology To Fight Identity Fraud

Mobile and ID scan technologies, now widely used in online banking, could help dealers during online transactions.

Other Posts

Grow Your Shop – Spend Money to Make Money

Never be afraid to part with cash if your business will benefit in the long run. It’s an investment, not a problem.

What Your Credit Score Can Do To Your Business

Having bad credit can be damaging for shops because it keeps you from pursuing growth or strategic decisions.

5 Reasons Planning Beats Panic

Business may be turbulent, but being prepared will help make the journey more enjoyable.

Online Ordering Isn’t A Fad

Online sales in the automotive aftermarket continue to grow.