New Minnesota Business Identity Theft Protections: What Business Owners Need to Know

Starting January 1, 2026, Minnesota business owners gain powerful new tools to fight business identity theft through the Business Filing Fraud Prevention Act.

The Growing Threat of Business Identity Theft

Business identity theft has become an increasingly serious concern for Minnesota entrepreneurs and business owners. Victims have reported:

• Companies created in their names without permission

• Inactive business entities reactivated without their knowledge

• Home addresses appearing on filings they never authorized

• Unexpected collection calls and credit issues from fraudulent transactions

Previously, resolving these issues required costly court actions or law enforcement intervention—options that were often impractical for small business owners.

Minnesota's New Business Identity Recovery Process

The Business Filing Fraud Prevention Act, passed with bipartisan support, gives the Minnesota Secretary of State's Office new authority to investigate and correct fraudulent business filings directly. This creates the first accessible, affordable path for individuals to report and resolve wrongful filings.

Key Features of the New Law

Declaration of Wrongful Filing: Beginning January 1, 2026, if someone has used your name, address, or personal information in a business filing without permission—or made unauthorized changes to your existing business—you can file a Declaration of Wrongful Filing with the Secretary of State's Office.

Direct Investigation: The Business Services division will review and investigate reported fraud, eliminating the need for expensive legal action in many cases.

Statutory Framework: The new protections are governed by Minnesota Statutes, Sections 300.70–300.78.

Protecting Your Minnesota Business

As your trusted tax and business advisors, we recommend these proactive steps:

1. Monitor your business filings regularly through the Minnesota Secretary of State's website

2. Review any correspondence from the Secretary of State's Office promptly

3. Act quickly if you discover unauthorized filings or changes

4. Document everything related to your business registrations

Questions About Your Business Filings?

If you have concerns about potential business identity theft or need assistance understanding how these new protections affect your business, contact our office. We're here to help Minnesota business owners navigate these important changes and protect their business interests.

Ronald K Jones, CPA serves businesses throughout Minnesota with comprehensive tax planning, accounting services, and business advisory support. Contact us to discuss your business needs.