Reno, NV…Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Detectives are warning community members of a growing crime trend. Detectives are investigating 19 individual cases wherein the victim’s identity has been fraudulently used to gain Small Business Administration loans.

Eleven of the victims reported the sum of the fraudulently obtained business loans taken in their names. Those cases total nearly $500,000 paid to the scammers by banks and guaranteed by the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Ahead of tax season, members of the public should

• Check all mail for an erroneous Internal Revenue Service Form 1099
• Check all mail for an erroneous bank statement
• Run weekly credit reports provided for free until April 20, 2022 by going to AnnualCreditReport.com
• Be aware that SBA only communicates from email addresses ending in @sba.gov. If you are being contacted by someone claiming to be from the SBA who is not using an official SBA email address, you should suspect fraud
• If you suspect you are the victim of SBA fraud, report it to the U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of Inspector General by clicking here

Anyone who has suffered a loss as a result of a scam or identity theft is also encouraged to contact their local law enforcement agency by clicking here.

The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office is dedicated to preserving a safe and secure community with professionalism, respect, integrity and the highest commitment to equality. Sheriff Darin Balaam is the 27th person elected to serve as the Sheriff of Washoe County since the Office was created in 1861. The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office strives to ensure public safety by building trust and creating partnerships within the diverse communities in which we serve. We will promote the dignity of all people supported by our words and actions through open communication while fostering an environment of professionalism, integrity and mutual respect.

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