UK companies · checked 28 October 2026

Companies House penalty scam: is this payment request real?

Scammers pose as Companies House to collect "late filing penalties" or register fees, by phone, email or letter, and give bank details to pay into. Before paying anything, check it with Companies House on its published number.

Signs it's a scam

• A caller asks you to pay a penalty over the phone, sometimes a small card payment "to put a hold" on further action. Companies House has warned about exactly this.
• They ask for secure information such as passwords, bank details, authentication codes or directors' details. Companies House says it will never call you to ask for these.
• The email isn't from a .gov.uk address. Real Companies House emails end in .gov.uk.
• A letter offers "registration" in a business directory with a fee. Companies House isn't connected to these, and they aren't real fees.
• Pressure and new bank details: urgent deadlines plus an unfamiliar account to pay.

Check before paying

• Look up your company on the Companies House service yourself: are your accounts or confirmation statement actually late?
• Call Companies House on 0303 1234 500, a number you found yourself, not one in the message.
• Add this to your finance team's rule: any new payee or changed bank details get a call-back first. Changed bank details by email.

How to report it

• Emails: forward to phishing@companieshouse.gov.uk.
• Calls or letters: tell Companies House on 0303 1234 500.
• Already paid? Call your bank at once, then report to Report Fraud. How to report payment fraud.

Source: GOV.UK, "Reporting scams pretending to be from Companies House". Read 28 October 2026. General guidance.

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