It has come to our attention that there are scam letters being sent to clients – and in some cases received by us at our registered offices – requesting payments for services that don’t exist.

These letters often look like they’ve come from HMRC, Companies House, or similar official bodies. They may use familiar logos, reference numbers and legal wording, but the aim is simple: to get you to pay for something you don’t need.

Here’s what to look out for and what to do if a letter doesn’t feel quite right.

1. Common warning signs

Fraudulent letters tend to follow similar patterns. If you see one or more of these, pause before you act:

Unexpected requests for payment

• Asking you to pay a fee to “register”, “protect”, “activate” or “publish” company information.
• Charging for services that sound official but don’t exist in reality.
• Requesting payment to third-party companies rather than HMRC or Companies House.

Aggressive or urgent language

• Short deadlines, threats of penalties, legal action or “immediate suspension” if you don’t pay.
• Phrases designed to pressure you into acting quickly before you’ve had time to think or check.

Odd payment methods or details

• QR codes or web links pushing you straight to a payment page.
• Bank details for unfamiliar organisations.
• Email addresses and web addresses that don’t match official GOV.UK domains.

Something “off” in the details

Not every scam has spelling mistakes, but many do. Warning signs include:

• Generic greetings (“Dear Director” rather than your name).
• Incorrect or inconsistent company details.
• Branding, layout or colour that feels slightly wrong compared to genuine letters.

If anything makes you hesitate, treat the letter with caution.

2. Sense-check what’s being asked

Before you pay or reply, ask yourself:

• Is this a service I’d normally pay for?
  For example, standard Companies House filings and web filing access are handled in specific ways via GOV.UK. If you’re being asked to pay for something unusual or vague, that’s a red flag.
  
• Have I seen anything about this in my online account?
  Genuine late filing penalties, interest or official notices will usually also appear in your HMRC or Companies House online account.
  
• Does the timing feel suspicious?
  Scam letters often appear after you incorporate a new company, around filing deadlines, or when you’d expect to hear from official bodies. That timing is deliberate.

If your answer to any of these is “I’m not sure”, don’t pay and don’t ignore it either – get it checked.

3. How to check if a letter is genuine

If you have any doubts, don’t use the contact details given in the letter. Instead:

1. Go directly to GOV.UK
   Search for HMRC or Companies House and use the contact routes listed there. Check whether the type of fee or service mentioned is something they actually offer.
   
2. Log in to your account
   • For HMRC, sign in to your online account.
   • For Companies House, use WebFiling or “Find and update company information”.
     If the letter is genuine, there will usually be a record or message relating to it.
     
3. Call using the official phone numbers
   Quote any reference number, and ask them to confirm whether the letter is genuine and whether payment is actually due.
   
4. Ask your accountant
   If you’re a bk plus client, send a scan or clear photo of the letter to your usual contact and we can take a look before you respond.

4. What to do if you think it’s a scam

If you suspect the letter is fraudulent:

• Don’t pay anything.
• Don’t scan QR codes or visit links printed on the letter.
• Don’t share bank details or personal information.

Keep the original letter safe. You may be able to report it through HMRC or Companies House channels, or via standard fraud reporting routes, depending on what it claims to be.

5. How bk plus can help

We’re already seeing these scam letters reach clients, and some are also arriving at addresses where we act as registered office.

If you receive a letter that:

• asks for payment you weren’t expecting
• claims to be from HMRC, Companies House or a similar body
• or simply doesn’t feel right

…please send a copy to your usual bk plus contact before taking any action.

We’ll help you check whether it’s genuine, explain what (if anything) needs to be done, and make sure you’re not paying for non-existent services.