What business document unexpectedly revealed your real identity?

For me it was a bank signature card. I had to sign as the authorized signer, and the bank made it clear that the account agreement would llist my name. I didn't think it would be discoverable, but it was.

A vendor's W-9 form. I had to provide my SSN as a sole proprietor, and the client later had a data breach. My name and info ended up in a public notification.

Same here with the W-9. Even with an LLC, if you're a single-member and don't elect corporate status, some vendors insist on your personal info for tax purposes.

Interesting. I've always wondered about that. Does an EIN help avoid giving your SSN?

An EIN can help, but not always. Some forms still ask for a responsible party's SSN, and if you're not careful, that can become part of a public record in certain filings

My business license application. The city posted the application online as part of a public records request, and it included my home address because I used it as the business address.

That's a common one. Using a registered agent address helps, but if you ever file a change of address form with the state, that can also become public.

A lease agreement. The landlord required a personal guaranty, and that document was later included in a court filing when there was a dispute with a tenant. My name was right there.

Court records are a big one. Even if you're not a party, if your business is involved in litigation, documents like contracts or guarantees can surface.

I had a similar experience with a personal guaranty. It was attached as an exhibit in a lawsuit against the company, and my name and signature were visible to anyone who checked the docket.

What about trademark filings? I've heard that if you file without an attorney, your personal info can show up in the USPTO records.

Yes, that's true. The USPTO requires a name and address for the applicant, and if you're an individual, that information becomes public. Using an attorney can help, but it's not a guarantee.

Has anyone mentioned annual reports? In some states, the annual report requires listing members or managers, and that becomes public.