Dun & Bradstreet Nigeria, the sole authorised provider of the globally recognised DUNS number in the country, has issued a warning to businesses and professionals about the rise of fraudulent individuals and entities falsely claiming to offer DUNS registration services.

The DUNS Number, short for Data Universal Numbering System, is a unique nine-digit identifier used globally to verify the legitimacy of businesses and track their commercial records.

As a trusted name in business data and analytics, D&B issues the identifiers to support transparency and trust in the global marketplace, a statement by the company said.

In Nigeria, the company is the only authorised issuer of the DUNS Number. However, it has noted an increase in scammers posing as its representatives and targeting unsuspecting individuals online. The impostors often promise expedited DUNS Number registration in exchange for payment via unverified platforms.

To ensure authenticity, D&B Nigeria advised businesses to use only its official contact channels in seeking information from the company.

“We do not outsource DUNS Number services to any third parties or agents,” said senior manager of customer success and engagement at Dun & Bradstreet Nigeria, Atinuke Williams.

“Any such claims are false. We urge the public to remain vigilant and use only our official channels to apply for or verify a DUNS Number,” he added.

The company warned that falling victim to these scams can result in data breaches, financial loss and reputational damage.

In some cases, victims have received counterfeit DUNS Numbers that do not appear in D&B’s global database, the company said.

D&B Nigeria reiterates its commitment to supporting business integrity and urges all companies to stay informed and cautious when seeking business verification services.