Companies House and the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) are urging businesses to stay alert to unsolicited invoices and payment requests from organisations that are not affiliated with government. These requests often appear official and may ask businesses to pay for services that are either available free of charge or at a much lower cost through official channels.

What members should look out for

Recent reports highlight invoices and emails requesting payment to:

• Set up or claim a Companies House online account
• Authenticate a Companies House account or verify company details
• Renew a trade mark
• Add a trade mark to an “exclusive” or unofficial register

These communications may be sent by post to a registered office address or by email and often use language designed to look official.

Before making any payment

If you receive a request for payment that you were not expecting:

• Check the sender’s email address and website carefully
• Remember that official Companies House and IPO services are delivered through GOV.UK
• Look for disclaimers stating that the organisation is not affiliated with government
• Contact Companies House, the IPO or your adviser directly if you are unsure

It is worth noting that some third-party service providers do offer legitimate business support services. However, businesses should ensure they understand exactly what service is being provided and whether it is available directly from the official source.

How to report suspicious requests

Members who receive suspicious invoices, letters or emails can report them through the following channels:

• Contact Companies House
• Contact IPO at misleadinginvoices@ipo.gov.uk
• You should report suspicious activity to Report Fraud, and your local  Trading Standards office. If you believe you’ve been a victim of fraud you should report this to the police via Report Fraud.