Examples of Falsifying Business Records

In the world of business, maintaining accurate records is not only a matter of good practice but also a legal obligation. This is particularly true in New York, where falsifying business records is a criminal offense. Businesses may resort to such tactics for various reasons, such as to secure loans, evade taxes or mislead shareholders.

While these actions may provide temporary gains, they can also result in severe legal penalties. Look at some examples of how businesses can falter by falsifying their records.

Altering financial statements

Altering financial statements is a common way businesses falsify their records. This can involve inflating sales, understating expenses or overstating the value of assets. The purpose is usually to paint a rosier picture of the company’s financial health, potentially to attract investors, secure loans or manipulate stock prices.

Falsifying tax documents

Another form of falsifying business records involves fraudulent tax documents. A business might underreport income or exaggerate deductions to decrease its tax liability. While this may result in lower taxes in the short term, if caught, the business faces substantial fines and penalties.

Faking inventory records

Faking inventory records is another deceptive practice. Businesses might inflate their inventory value to make the company appear more profitable and attract investors. Alternatively, they might underreport inventory to reduce property tax assessments.

Manipulating timecards

In the realm of employment, falsifying timecards is a common issue. Employers may alter the time worked by an employee to avoid paying overtime, or employees may inflate their hours to receive unearned wages. Both instances constitute falsifying business records.

Misrepresenting compliance records

Businesses may also misrepresent compliance records. For example, a company might falsify safety inspection reports to avoid fines or pretend to meet certain environmental or industry standards.

If you discover that someone falsified your business records, you should take immediate action. This can include reporting the issue to the appropriate authorities, conducting an internal audit and ensuring future records are accurate.