Is My Business Partner Stealing From Me?
A professional fraud and financial misconduct assessment developed by licensed investigators. Business partner theft accounts for over $3.1 billion in annual losses to small and mid-size businesses in the U.S. Know what you're actually dealing with.
Business partner fraud is statistically likely to go undetected for an average of 18 months before discovery — and by then, the damage is severe. The warning signs are almost always present in retrospect. This assessment evaluates the financial, behavioral, and operational indicators that our investigators look for when a business owner suspects internal theft, fraud, or breach of fiduciary duty.
What do the numbers actually show?
Do you have full, real-time visibility into business accounts, transactions, and financial records — or has your access become restricted or filtered?
Have you noticed unexplained expenses, vendor payments, or line items that you didn't approve and can't get clear answers about?
Are there vendors, contractors, or service providers being paid that you don't recognize or have never dealt with directly?
Ghost vendor schemes — payments to fictitious or related-party vendors — are the most common form of business partner fraud.
Does the business's revenue or cash flow seem lower than it should be based on what you know about sales volume and operations?
Has your partner pushed back against bringing in an outside accountant, CPA audit, or any independent financial review?
Changes in how they operate day-to-day
Has your partner's personal lifestyle — car, home, travel, spending — changed noticeably in a way that doesn't match their known income from the business?
Have they started managing or controlling specific relationships — key clients, suppliers, or accounts — in a way that cuts you out of those interactions?
Are they secretive about business communications — emails, contracts, negotiations — in a way that goes beyond a reasonable division of responsibilities?
Have employees, customers, or other insiders made comments — even casually — that suggested something was off with how money or operations were being handled?
Has your partner started working unusual hours, making decisions without you, or taking actions outside the scope of their role in the partnership?
How protected are you legally and structurally?
Do you have a formal, legally reviewed partnership agreement that clearly defines roles, financial access, decision-making authority, and exit terms?
Does your partner have sole or disproportionate signatory authority over business accounts, contracts, or major purchases?
Has your partner been reluctant to formalize, document, or put things in writing — preferring verbal agreements or handshake deals even for significant matters?
Are business assets — equipment, inventory, intellectual property, real estate — fully and accurately reflected in business records that you can access?
Has your partner ever been involved in legal disputes, lawsuits, or accusations of financial misconduct in prior business relationships?
How the partnership has changed
Have you directly confronted your partner about financial concerns, and how did they respond?
Has the overall dynamic of the partnership shifted — more tension, less communication, a feeling that they're positioning themselves against you rather than with you?
Have they had private conversations with your attorney, accountant, or key employees that excluded you?
Do you believe your partner could be diverting business clients, contracts, or revenue to a separate entity they own or are starting?
Diversion of corporate opportunity is a breach of fiduciary duty and is actionable under Tennessee business law.
Has your partner started a side business, consulting relationship, or other venture that competes with or involves your shared business without disclosing it?
What your experience tells you
How long have you had concerns about this situation?
Have you consulted with a business attorney about your exposure, rights, and options in this situation?
Do you have documented, preserved evidence — records, screenshots, statements — of the activities that concern you?
How significant could the financial exposure be if your suspicions are correct?
On your gut instinct alone — everything you know, everything you've seen — do you believe your partner is stealing from or defrauding you?
All 25 questions must be answered to receive your assessment.
Please answer all questions before submitting.
Your Assessment Results
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Confidential. Discreet. Evidence that holds up in Tennessee court.
This assessment is an informational tool developed from investigative experience and does not constitute legal or financial advice. All findings from a professional investigation are conducted within the bounds of Tennessee law and applicable federal regulations. Consult with a licensed Tennessee business attorney before taking any legal action. All consultations with Delator Group are strictly confidential.