Business owners warned over Companies House letter scam
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.
I have a horrid feeling this is a scam! @CompaniesHouse please advise. Company formed 4 weeks ago. pic.twitter.com/4pafrkQ1Os
— Rebecca Benneyworth MBE FCA (@rbeccabeneworth) May 17, 2024
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.
⚠️ We've had reports of suspicious letters claiming to be from Companies House.
— Companies House (@CompaniesHouse) May 16, 2024
The letter claims you need to make payment for Enhanced Web Filing Access.
Please do not follow any instructions in this letter. It’s a scam. pic.twitter.com/GLCy18ZavA
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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