BUSINESS NEWS

Business owners warned over Companies House letter scam

Business owners warned over Companies House letter scam
Dan Martin
Dan MartinDan Martin Content & Events

Posted: Fri 17th May 2024

Companies House has urged businesses to not respond to the instructions in a fake letter that claims to be from the company registration organisation.

Several people have posted online about a letter they've received with Companies House branding that says they need to pay a fee for "enhanced web filing access". They are told to scan a QR code to make the payment. Failure to do so will lead to their ability to file accounts online being suspended, the letter says.


Companies House has responded in a post on X, formerly Twitter, and confirmed that the letter is a scam and recipients should not follow any of its instructions.


If you receive suspicious correspondence claiming to be from Companies House, you can report it to phishing@companieshouse.gov.uk

More details about reporting scams are here.

The Companies House alert follows a similar warning earlier this month by HM Revenue & Customs about a fake email which encourages recipients to scan a QR code.

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Dan Martin
Dan MartinDan Martin Content & Events
I'm a freelance content creator and event host who helps small businesses and the organisations that support them. I'm also Enterprise Nation's Local Leader for Bristol. I have 20 years of experience as a small business journalist having interviewed hundreds of entrepreneurs from famous names like Sir Richard Branson and Deborah Meaden to the founders behind brand new start-ups. I've worked for a range of leading small business publications and support groups, most recently as head of content at Enterprise Nation where I was responsible for the prolific output of content on the company's blog and social media. I now freelance for Enterprise Nation as the website's news reporter and as the host of the Small Business sessions podcast. I'm based in Bristol where I run and host regular events with the local small business community in my role as Enterprise Nation's Local Leader for Bristol. I also have strong connections with other major business organisations in the south west region. In total, I've hosted over 100 events including conferences with an audience of hundreds for international brands like Xero and Facebook and live web chats from inside 10 Downing Street. With my partner, I co-run Lifestyle District, a lifestyle blog focused on culture, art, theatre and photography.

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