Last month, I walked you through the first step in the registration process, securing your EIN. Once you have your EIN or Tax ID number, you are ready to proceed and establish a DUNS number. This is free! FREE. Frrrr—EEEeee! Please do not provide any information related to a form of payment—ever—for DUNS.
Many companies have made lucrative businesses preying off of the DUNS system. You might receive threatening emails and phone calls related to suspected negative information on your business “credit report.” Please ignore these! Further, you will receive a number of emails offering (or appearing to be the government) to help maintain or make the most of your DUNS registration. Ignore these as well. Unless the email comes specifically from the government, ignore it.
During the DUNS registration, there are a few important things to keep in mind:
- Only use the Federal portal to request your DUNS number.
- You must verify your identity; carefully complete the forms to avoid errors.
- When completing information regarding the business, use the exact same format for information used when establishing your EIN.
- Check the box to be excluded from marketing opportunities and propositions. While this will not completely eliminate the number of junk emails and calls you receive associated with your DUNS number, it will significantly reduce them.
DUNS numbers are available within 24-48 hours of request. While you are waiting on your DUNS number, head to the bank and establish a company bank account.
Next month, Registration Rodeo Part 3: Preparing for SAM Registration