Companies House

e-PROOF: reinforcing company fraud defence strategies

With the UK in recession, companies are likely to see an increase in incidents of corporate-identity fraud.  To combat this, Companies House is recommending to its customers a three-point plan:

1. File documents online using the Webfiling service.  This service provides a safe and secure method for filing certain documents online.
2. Join the PROOF scheme (PROtected Online Filing).  PROOF stops criminals from changing a company’s information by sending Companies House paper forms with forged signatures.  PROOF customers are required to file all the relevant forms (Annual Returns and changes to company or directors’ details) electronically and Companies House will reject any paper versions of these forms.
3. Use Monitor to keep an eye on your company’s filings.  This service allows customers to be notified as soon as specified company documents are filed.

Companies House is currently improving its PROOF scheme to make it easier for companies to join.  The first phase of the improvement was introduced on 21st June 2009.  Since then, customers have been able to sign up to PROOF online through the WebFiling service.  Companies no longer need to gather the signatures of all company directors; the company authentication code is all they need.

Companies House is recommending that all companies join PROOF as soon as possible to benefit from the fraud protection which it offers.  As of 8th July, 55,000 new companies had signed up to PROOF.

Press Desk
Companies House
029 20380973