Fake Companies House Letters Are Targeting New UK Companies!

It starts innocently enough: a freshly minted UK company receives what looks like an official letter. It has a formal tone, a familiar logo and even a QR code neatly printed in the corner.

The letter says you owe £271.00 — a “fee for publishing legal information” on a so-called public database. It warns that your company might not be properly registered if you don’t pay. Sounds serious, until

.... the only problem is that it is a scam.

A Growing Headache for New Businesses

Several newly registered UK companies have reported receiving such fraudulent letters and emails in the past few weeks. They appear legitimate at first glance, the branding is eerily similar to Companies House, and the content is carefully worded to sound official. But read more closely, and things start to fall apart.

This wave of scam correspondence is not only annoying. It’s dangerous. It preys on busy entrepreneurs and small business owners juggling a dozen things at once and may not stop questioning what looks like just another bureaucratic hoop to jump through.

What’s Actually Going on with These Fake Companies House Letters?

We checked with Companies House sources to get to the bottom of this, and the good news is these letters are not from them.

According to Companies House:

• They do not send letters requesting payment for “publishing legal information”
• The only official fee is paid when a company is incorporated via the official GOV.UK website
• They never ask for additional payments through QR codes or shady third-party sites like myincorp.org

If you’ve received a letter like this, it’s safe to say someone is trying to take you for a ride.

Scam Red Flags to Watch Out For

These scammers are crafty, but there are a few telltale signs you can spot if you know what to look for:

• Payment demands that pop up after incorporation, usually with vague phrasing like “legal publication fee”
• Third-party payment links or QR codes leading to unfamiliar websites (anything that’s not GOV.UK should raise an eyebrow)
• Logos that look close, but not quite right (a subtle change in colour, font or design)
• Threatening language, like warnings that your business won’t be properly registered or made “public” without payment

What You Should Do if You Receive One

If a letter like this lands in your mailbox or inbox, do not panic, but don’t ignore it either. Here is what to do:

• Do not pay anything or forward the letter to your clients or colleagues
• Send us a copy if you’re unsure — we’ll verify whether it’s genuine
• Report it to Companies House by emailing it to phishing@companieshouse.gov.uk
• Shred or securely dispose of the letter after reporting it

Staying vigilant is your best defence.

Help Protect Your Clients & Team

If you’re in a client-facing role such as accounting, legal or business services, be extra cautious right now. Do not circulate these scam letters internally or externally without checking. If something seems off, trust your instincts and get a second opinion.

And if you’re ever in doubt, get in touch. We’re here to help verify what is real and what is just a clever trick.

Conclusion

Starting a company is hard enough without being swindled before you have even issued your first invoice. Stay sharp, question the unexpected.

And remember: Companies House will never ask you for a surprise payment out of the blue.

Stay safe. Stay alert. And spread the word.