FRAUDULENT JOB OFFERS & VISA SCAMS

Companies House is seeing an increase in the number of complaints and queries regarding apparent job offers in the UK. These include offers with Oil companies and the Banking, Hotel and College sectors.

Adverts, presently purporting to be from oil or petroleum companies, for a variety of well-paid jobs in the UK are being placed in reputable newspapers or websites. These adverts also usually offer facilities to obtain UK visas through their contacts.

Payment for these visas is usually requested through a money service bureau. The payment can be collected anywhere in the world.

These jobs do not exist and the only legitimate way to obtain a UK visa is through the local UK embassy or commission - full details can be found at www.ukvisas.gov.uk

You should always treat any such job offers with extreme caution, especially if it seems too good to be true. Make your own enquiries without using the contact details given by the company as these are also false.

URGENT FRAUD WARNING Authentication Codes for WebFiling

There have been instances recently where Companies House customers have been contacted by someone claiming to be from Companies House, asking for verification of their WebFiling Authentication Codes.

Please be aware that Companies House personnel will never contact you by telephone to try to ascertain your WebFiling Authentication Codes.

Should anyone contact you claiming to be from Companies House please try to obtain a return telephone number and contact us immediately.

ESCROW FRAUD WARNING

We are aware that there are a number of websites offering escrow services that claim to be "licensed and bond at Companies House". These sites are fraudulent in that Companies House does not licence or bond any company.

These sites usually show the company register number of a genuine company but have no connection with the company itself.

These fraudulent sites work by a person searching an internet auction site and agreeing to buy an item, usually jewellery, and also suggesting that instead of using one of the authorised payment systems, the seller sends the item to an escrow service recommended by the would-be purchaser. The goods are sent and no further contact is made because the "purchaser" closes down their email account.

If you believe that you have become a victim of an offence involving any such site, you should report this to your local Police. If you do contact Companies House, please be aware that by so doing, the matter will not necessarily be investigated, although we appreciate the information being brought to our notice.

Companies House is working with the Metropolitan Police (Operation Sterling) to investigate and close down the sites where appropriate.