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Did you get a bill for a Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan or COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) you never applied for? If the answer is yes, an identity thief probably used your personal information to get the loan. Here's how to report this problem and start the SBA review process to help you clear up any credit problems the identity theft may have caused.
 

Step 1. Report the identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission at IdentityTheft.gov.

  • You’ll get an FTC Identity Theft report and a personal recovery plan.
  • Save a copy of your FTC Identity Theft Report. You’ll need to submit it to the SBA.
  • Follow the personal recovery plan to stop further misuse of your personal information and help repair the damage the identity theft caused.

Step 2. Visit the SBA’s website at sba.gov/idtheft.

  • Follow the steps there to report the identity theft to the SBA. This step is required to start the SBA review process.

Step 3. If the identity theft involved a PPP loan and you know the private lender that issued the loan, contact the lender, too.

  • Explain that an identity thief used your personal information to get the PPP loan without your knowledge or authorization. Tell them the loan is fraudulent.
  • Ask the lender to release you from the loan and to take all the steps needed to remove information about the loan from your credit files.
  • Ask the lender to send you a letter explaining the actions it’s taken.
  • Write down who you spoke with and when. You may need to contact the lender again.
  • Know that the lender may require a copy of your FTC Identity Theft Report and other documents. This sample letter can help you get things started.

For questions about COVID-19 EIDL identity theft, contact SBA COVID-19 EIDL Customer Service at 833-853-5638 or by email at IDTRecords@sba.gov.

For questions about PPP loan identity theft, contact the SBA by email at PPPIDTheftInquiries@sba.gov.

Note: This blog, originally posted on March 9, 2021, has been updated with revised steps for reporting identity theft involving SBA loans to the FTC and SBA.

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Michael
March 09, 2021
I'd glad that I read the above notice. Because If I do get anything like a bill from a (SBA) loan. I'll know who to contact. I've been hearing on my local everning news, about a lot of people are being scramed, or trying to get scramed. I don't take anything for granted anymore, these days. THANKS AGAIN!
Harold
March 10, 2021
Interesting to note that due to massive fraud across the board in virtually all areas the SBA and other loan entities don't do more investigating regarding the identity of the "borrower". SBA should be taking more responsibility concerning fraud and theft attempts by criminals.
James Fishman
March 10, 2021
I was notified by Experian that the SBA pulled my report. I called and learned from the SBA that a loan application had been filed in my name and SSN. They cancelled the application and I was able to obtain the loan application which provides identifier info for the fraudster (their email, cell no. and bank acct info.) should I report this to the FBI, Secret Service?
FTC Staff
March 10, 2021

In reply to by James Fishman

You can report the attempted identity theft at www.IdentityTheft.gov. This blog explains other steps you can take to protect your information in case the scammer tries again to use your name and Social Security number. The information you enter at IdentityTheft.gov goes into a secure database that is shared with other law enforcement agencies and used in investigations.

Patrick in NC
March 12, 2021
I reported a fraudulent EIDL to the SBA and FBI three months ago and have receive no response from either. I also reported the identity theft to the FTC and followed their guidance by filing reports with the local police, freezing my credit with the three reporting agencies, etc. Just hanging out, 90 days later, waiting on bogus loan payment statements to arrive.
Justsomeone
August 01, 2021

In reply to by Patrick in NC

We've been waiting almost a year with NO indication of anything happening! Apparently we will have a bill due next month for the fraudulent SBA loan.
Don't use your…
March 13, 2021
I was told several different applications were submitted in my name. I did only 2 the second after never getting a reply after 10 months now I have to resubmit they say I am so confused and need the help desperately
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