Companies House and the IPO Warn About Fake Payment Requests
Businesses are being urged to remain vigilant after both Companies House and the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) issued warnings about misleading payment requests being sent by fraudulent organisations.
These scams often involve letters or emails that appear official but request payment for services that are either available directly from government sources at a much lower cost or are completely unnecessary.
For busy business owners, these invoices can easily be mistaken for legitimate requests.
How the Scam Works
Fraudsters are sending invoices and payment requests to businesses using details that are publicly available through Companies House records.
The requests may arrive:
- By post to a company’s registered office.
- By email using official-looking branding and language.
The aim is to encourage businesses to make unnecessary payments before realising the request is not genuine.
Common Types of Fake Payment Requests
According to the latest warnings, scammers are commonly requesting payment for:
Companies House Online Accounts
Businesses may receive invoices offering to:
- Set up a Companies House online account.
- Claim ownership of an existing account.
Company Verification Services
Some requests ask businesses to pay for:
- Account authentication.
- Company detail verification.
- Compliance checks.
Trade Mark Renewals
The IPO has also warned about fake invoices relating to:
- Trade mark renewals.
- Inclusion on so-called “exclusive online registers.”
In many cases, these services either do not exist or can be completed directly through official government channels at a much lower cost.
How to Spot a Scam
Companies House and the IPO recommend taking a few simple precautions before making any payment.
Check Website Addresses
Legitimate government services will usually be accessed through official GOV.UK websites.
Be cautious of unfamiliar web addresses or websites designed to look similar to official government pages.
Check Email Addresses
Fraudulent emails may use addresses that look convincing but are not genuine government domains.
Look for Disclaimers
Some organisations include small print stating they are not affiliated with the government.
While technically legal, these notices can easily be overlooked.
Verify Before Paying
If you are unsure whether a payment request is genuine, contact Companies House or the IPO directly using official contact details.
Why Businesses Are Being Targeted
Information such as company names and registered office addresses is publicly available through Companies House records.
Scammers use this information to make their requests appear credible and targeted.
Newly incorporated businesses can be particularly vulnerable, as owners may not yet be familiar with genuine filing requirements and official fees.
Good Business Practice
Developing simple internal procedures can help reduce the risk of fraud.
For example:
- Check all unexpected invoices carefully.
- Verify new suppliers or service providers.
- Confirm unusual payment requests with a trusted adviser.
- Train staff to recognise common scam tactics.
A few extra checks can help prevent unnecessary losses and disruption.
Final Thoughts
Fraudsters continue to develop increasingly convincing methods of targeting businesses, and fake Companies House or IPO invoices remain a common example.
Taking a cautious approach and verifying requests before making payment can help protect your business from unnecessary costs.
If you receive a suspicious invoice or payment request and are unsure whether it is genuine, we would be happy to help you review it.
📞 01527 368220
📧 info@ojwassociates.co.uk
