800+ rogue corporate filings lodged at UK Companies House
04/03/2024
Britain's biggest banks have been alerted over hundreds of 'rogue' filings that appear to have been lodged at Companies House, the UK’s central corporate register.
Sky News has obtained a note issued by UK Finance, the banking trade association,
- Which warned its members that approximately 800 forms relating to the discharging of financial liabilities were submitted at Companies House late last month.
In the notice to banks - marked as "Urgent" when it was circulated last week - UK Finance said it had alerted both Companies House and the Department for Business and Trade to the issue.
Industry executives pointed to the possibility of an attempted fraud or hacking of the Companies House register, although the circumstances remained unclear on Sunday.
UK Finance said in its memo that many members and law firms had
- "Flagged an issue regarding the erroneous satisfaction of security (registered charges) on Companies House relating to a number of live business clients".
In a further update issued on Friday, it said it had been informed that roughly 800 rogue filings related to 190 companies had been submitted, adding:
- "Companies House have emphasised that an incorrect entry in the register - saying a charge has been satisfied - does not invalidate or cancel that charge.
- "It remains valid and enforceable.
- "However, there will likely be other consequences for lenders that will need to be resolved."
Companies House, which the government owns, is responsible for incorporating and limiting millions of limited companies.
One source described the situation as "deeply alarming". It said it was disappointing that Companies House had also outlined plans to increase its fees in May "when it was susceptible to rogue corporate filings in this way".
Responding to an enquiry from Sky News, a Companies House spokesperson said:
- "We are aware of this matter and we are looking into it."
UK Finance declined to comment further.
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As well as owning and publishing Comsure's copyrighted works, Comsure wishes to use the copyright-protected works of others. To do so, Comsure is applying for exemptions in the UK copyright law. There are certain very specific situations where Comsure is permitted to do so without seeking permission from the owner. These exemptions are in the copyright sections of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 (as amended)[www.gov.UK/government/publications/copyright-acts-and-related-laws]. Many situations allow for Comsure to apply for exemptions. These include 1] Non-commercial research and private study, 2] Criticism, review and reporting of current events, 3] the copying of works in any medium as long as the use is to illustrate a point. 4] no posting is for commercial purposes [payment]. (for a full list of exemptions, please read here www.gov.uk/guidance/exceptions-to-copyright]. Concerning the exceptions, Comsure will acknowledge the work of the source author by providing a link to the source material. Comsure claims no ownership of non-Comsure content. The non-Comsure articles posted on the Comsure website are deemed important, relevant, and newsworthy to a Comsure audience (e.g. regulated financial services and professional firms [DNFSBs]). Comsure does not wish to take any credit for the publication, and the publication can be read in full in its original form if you click the articles link that always accompanies the news item. Also, Comsure does not seek any payment for highlighting these important articles. If you want any article removed, Comsure will automatically do so on a reasonable request if you email info@comsuregroup.com.