At WiseGEEK, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.
What is Corporate Identity Theft?
Mary Elizabeth
Mary Elizabeth
Although many connect the term identity theft with the theft of a person’s identity, corporate identity theft, in which the identity of a corporation or business — even small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) — is stolen, is becoming more and more common. In some cases, the break-in is so stealthy that executives do not become aware of the issue until quite a lot of damage has been done. SMBs can be more attractive than people to identity thieves due to larger lines of credit and less scrutiny about how it is used.
The exact mechanisms of corporate identity theft may vary somewhat by country, depending on the laws and the mechanisms for changing information. For example, in the UK, on the submission of documents that seem to be authentic to a corporate registration service, an identity thief could make substantive changes to an organization. This is the mechanism to appoint new directors, change the director, or change the registered address. With this type of changes, the actual directors will not be notified, and the new directors have, in effect, taken over the company.
Another approach is to create a fake website that appears to match a corporate identity (called spoofing). Through this website, people are hired for jobs with a title like “Account Coordinator,” and set up with facilities to collect payments from “customers.” The actual job is being a money mule for the scammers.
The information that enables corporate identity theft may be acquired by scammers in a variety of ways. The loss of any computer, laptop, netbook, or mobile device with company data is a potential invitation to corporate identity theft. Working in public without a privacy screen is another issue. Displaying a business license on the wall may be the law, but when it includes the business license number and Tax ID, if those items are legible or someone can take a photograph and enlarge them, the information on it may be stolen. Considering this when placing the license is a good plan.
Steps to prevent corporate identity theft include the following suggestions. First institute a company policy concerning sensitive information and how it is handled. Second, be sure security systems are current, that computer networks have firewalls, and that anti-spyware, and anti-virus and anti-spam software are all engaged. Make reviewing the business credit report a regular part of the expense review. Invest in a good shredder and shred all business papers before disposing of them. Also, anyone using a Social Security number as an EIN (Employer ID Number), should replace it to lessen risk.
Mary Elizabeth
Mary Elizabeth is passionate about reading, writing, and research, and has a penchant for correcting misinformation on the Internet. In addition to contributing articles to WiseGEEK about art, literature, and music, Mary Elizabeth is a teacher, composer, and author. She has a B.A. from the University of Chicago’s writing program and an M.A. from the University of Vermont, and she has written books, study guides, and teacher materials on language and literature, as well as music composition content for Sibelius Software.
Learn more...
Mary Elizabeth
Mary Elizabeth is passionate about reading, writing, and research, and has a penchant for correcting misinformation on the Internet. In addition to contributing articles to WiseGEEK about art, literature, and music, Mary Elizabeth is a teacher, composer, and author. She has a B.A. from the University of Chicago’s writing program and an M.A. from the University of Vermont, and she has written books, study guides, and teacher materials on language and literature, as well as music composition content for Sibelius Software.
Learn more...AS FEATURED ON:
AS FEATURED ON:
-
![Theft of a laptop can open the possibility of corporate identity theft.]()
By: Syda ProductionsTheft of a laptop can open the possibility of corporate identity theft. -
![Shredding documents that contain sensitive information can help corporations protect against identity theft.]()
By: Debbie TorkelsonShredding documents that contain sensitive information can help corporations protect against identity theft.
Discussion Comments
One form of identity theft is when an individual or another company purchases shares in a company through a third-party, or without the knowledge of the company. So one day the original owners may wake up and realize that the company belongs to someone else, or that they unknowingly sold the shares to someone they didn't mean to sell to. I don't know if this is considered fraud or identity theft but it sounds like both.
@literally45-- I remember reading fairly recently that about one hundred cases of corporate identity theft takes place per month as of 2013.
So I don't think that this is a rare issue. It's certainly a risk that companies, small or large, need to take notice of. The more the precautions, the lower the chances that this might happen to a company.
Considering the prevalence of identity theft in general, I don't think it's surprising that corporate identity theft is an issue. A corporate's identity can be used in the same way an individual's can be. So this topic needs to be taken more seriously.
I didn't even know until now that a corporation's identity could be stolen! I though that this was an issue that only applies to individuals.
Contrary to personal identity theft though, it sounds like corporate identity theft requires a lot of planning and work. So it's probably not as common, but it may be more difficult to prevent or catch. Am I right?
Post your comments