Shelf companies are increasingly being used as vehicles for fraud as bad actors look for ways to exploit trusted business identities.
Dormant businesses with established histories are reactivated, lightly modified, and passed through KYB and business entity verification processes that weren’t designed to detect sudden change. These entities often clear onboarding checks, only to surface as fraud risk later through abnormal behavior, rapid transaction activity, or shifts in control that traditional fraud systems miss until after losses occur.
In this 30-minute discussion, experts from Middesk and Oscilar examine how shelf companies are used in modern fraud schemes, the business identity and behavioral signals that indicate when a reactivated entity may pose elevated risk, and how fraud teams can move beyond static onboarding controls. The session focuses on practical, event-driven detection and investigation strategies that help surface shelf company abuse earlier—without adding unnecessary friction for legitimate businesses.
Key Takeaways
- How fraudsters exploit reactivated businesses and trusted business identities
- The post-onboarding signals that most reliably indicate shelf company abuse
- How to design event-driven fraud reviews that surface risk earlier
Live Event: Register Now
- Thursday, March 19th, 2026
- 1:00 pm - 1:30 pm ET / 11:00 am - 11:30 am PT
- On demand after the event
About the series
BEV Break by Middesk is a digital event series designed to break down the toughest topics in business and entity verification in the financial services space.
In the 30 minutes it takes you to drink your favorite beverage, we'll arm you with information you need to navigate the complexities of KYB, business identity, compliance, AML, business fraud risks, so you can build a better business and entity program for a more secure financial future.
