uk corporate and identity theft

providing companyinformation thatcustomers value

“”

Corporate and director identity theft

Lynn LynchCompanies House

UK

3m 10485,000

175,000,000181 MILLION

151

298,000,000130,000,000169

100

Functions

Legislation

Types of corporate fraud

• Corporate identity theft – short firm• Company incorporated solely to commit fraud

• Move from paper to electronic fraud

Other fraud

• Telephone scams• VAT Registry scams• Job offers and Visa scams• Internet auctions and Bond site scams• Stealing electronic authorisation codes

Fraudulent filings at Companies House

• Registered office change with no company approval

• Appointments without consent• Company name change• Director’s address change• Internal company disputes – directors at war

Our position

• Registrar has no statutory authority to take direct action

• General responsibility under Proceeds of Crime Act

• ‘Good faith’ principle• Balance easy registration with fraud prevention

Fraud protection

• File electronically• ‘Monitor’• PROtected Online Filing (PROOF)

PROOF documents

• Appointments• Resignations• Change of officer details• Annual return• Change of registered office

PROOF documents

• 1.2 million companies use PROOF • But 100 fraudulent filings per month

Working with others

• City of London Police• Met Office• SOCA (Serious Organised Crime Agency)• Action Fraud

providing companyinformation thatcustomers value

“”