Different methods of fraud
This is the last part in a three part series on fraud.
The methods we will be covering have been brought to our attention by our clients and not by the national press.
The methods that we have covered in this series of articles are real and unfortunately some of our clients have fallen victim to these scams over the last few weeks.
Fraudsters are turning to increasingly sophisticated methods in order to deceive and are often quick to adapt their approach to keep up with changes in technology.
Latest scam notices from Companies House
Late filing penalty payment
Companies have been contacted asking for payment of a late filing penalty over the telephone. The caller says they will accept a payment of £5 by credit or debit to place a hold on any further action being taken.
Companies House will not contact you for immediate payment of a late filing penalty or request payment of a nominal fee to place a hold on any recovery action.
Payment plans are set up with the agreement of the manager dealing with your late filing penalty query. We will not cold call you to take a payment.
Bogus Companies House emails
We are aware that a number of suspicious emails are being sent claiming to be from Companies House. These emails have not been generated by Companies House.
The latest of these bogus emails claims to be a response to an online filing submission.
An example of a bogus email claiming to be from Companies House
If you have received one of these emails forward it to phishing@companieshouse.gov.uk and then delete it. Do not try to view any attachments contained in the email. #### Company register payment
Companies registered at Companies House are receiving notifications asking for money to maintain their company on the register.
The companies concerned are receiving, what looks like a genuine request, from one of the following:
• New Companies Register (Digital)
• National Register of Companies
• Economic Index for Europe
These organisations are not connected to, or endorsed by, either Companies House or GOV.UK and the fee requested is not required to keep the company registered at Companies House.
Suspicious job vacancies
Companies House are receiving email enquiries about job adverts in the UK. These generally offer highly paid vacancies or opportunities in the oil, hotel or banking industries.
Treat all job offers with extreme caution. The contact details are usually fake, and you should avoid replying to the providers of these vacancies.
The advert might request money up front before the application can be processed, and they might also mention UK visas. Be sure to check with UK Visas and Immigration for information on applying for a UK visa.
Adverts have often been placed in print or on websites which appear to be genuine. If you are interested in working for Companies House you can check with Companies House to see if they have vacancies, or on the civil service job site.
Pension liberation fraud
Pension scams are on the increase in the UK and Companies House has been made aware that under some schemes individuals have had limited companies established in their name. If you believe that you have had a company set up in your name, please see legal advice before taking any action to close it.
Scams are promoted using terms such as an offer of unique investment opportunities, free pension review, legal loophole, cash bonus or as a government endorsed scheme and victims are being approached via cold calling, text message or in person door to door. You should treat all approaches about your pension with caution if it is not from a source that you recognise and trust.
If you are approached, do not share your personal information or sign any paperwork. You are able to check whether the offer of service is genuine and the Pension Advisory Service website can help.
The Pensions Regulator also offers guidance to help individuals who think that they may have been targeted by pension scams.
Companies House telephone scam warning
Companies have been contacted by persons claiming to be from Companies House, who ask them for details of their company’s directors.
Companies House personnel will never contact you by telephone to find out who your officers are, or ask for secure information such as authentication codes.
If you anyone contacts you claiming to be from Companies House asking for this information, try to obtain a return telephone number and contact Companies House immediately on 0303 1234 500.
Bevan & Buckland Accountants Swansea Tel: 01792 410100
Bevan & Buckland Accountants Haverfordwest Tel: 01437 760666
Bevan & Buckland Accountants Pembroke Tel: 01646 682383
Bevan & Buckland Accountants Carmarthen Tel: 01267 233115