By Jeremy Rogers, Senior Manger
Companies House and the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) have recently issued warnings about misleading letters and emails being sent to UK businesses requesting payment for services that may already be available directly from official sources for a lower cost, or in some cases, free of charge.
These communications can appear legitimate and are often sent to a company’s registered office address.
They may request payment to:
- Set up or claim a Companies House online account
- Verify or authenticate company information
- Renew a trademark
- Register details on an online directory or register
While some third-party providers offer legitimate services, businesses should take care before making payments or sharing information.
What should you look out for?
Warning signs can include:
- Unexpected invoices or payment requests
- Fees that seem unusually high
- Generic email addresses or unfamiliar websites
- Small-print disclaimers stating the organisation is not affiliated with the government
Our advice
Before making any payment, take a moment to verify the source and check whether the service is genuinely required.
If you’re unsure whether a request is legitimate, speak to your EQ contact before taking any action. A quick conversation could help you avoid unnecessary costs and protect your business from potential scams.
As fraudsters continue to develop increasingly convincing communications, a healthy degree of caution remains one of the best forms of defence.
If you’re unsure about any correspondence you receive, contact your EQ Advisor before taking any action.
To talk to a member of our team: Contact Us – EQ Chartered Accountants