If it asks for money, passwords or your authentication code, it’s a scam — here’s what to do.
Scam emails, calls and letters pretending to be from Companies House are on the rise. They look convincing — logos, reference numbers, “urgent” language — but there are some easy tells and simple steps to keep your business safe.
Top red flags (real examples doing the rounds):
- Phone calls asking for: passwords, bank details, your authentication code, directors’ full dates of birth, or £5 to “put a hold on a late filing penalty.”
- Callers claiming to be from the “registration department” (it doesn’t exist) or from Companies House in Cardiff demanding immediate payment.
- Emails asking you to click links/attachments to: “verify identity (KYC/KYB)”, “avoid legal action”, “view an online filing rejection”, “download via e-Sign”, or “WebFiling account issues” (often from odd domains).
- Fake sender domains (not .gov.uk), e.g. @companies-house-gov.uk, @cpgov.uk, @companieshousel.ink, etc.
- Letters with QR codes or payment instructions for things like “Company Registration”, “Enhanced Web Filing Access”, “COHOREG” or requests from supposed prosecuting solicitors.
How to handle a suspicious contact (the quick script):
- Stop. Don’t share info, don’t click links, don’t open attachments, don’t scan QR codes.
- Check. Real emails come from .gov.uk. Hover links before clicking; if the URL looks off, bin it.
- Verify. Ask for a callback number, then contact Companies House directly on 0303 1234 500.
- Report. Forward dodgy emails to phishing@companieshouse.gov.uk and then delete them (including from “Deleted Items”).
- Never pay fees from letters/emails unless you’ve independently confirmed on the official site.
Bookmark the official guidance (with live examples):
Reporting scams pretending to be from Companies House
Good hygiene going forward:
- Companies House will never ask for your authentication code or immediate payment by phone.
- Treat unexpected “complaints”, “identity checks” or “account problems” as suspicious until proven otherwise.
- Keep registered email inboxes monitored so genuine reminders don’t get missed among the noise.
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