Protecting your company against fraud

Companies House Online Filing Proof Scheme

Companies face a number of fraud risks, both from within and out with the business. One such potential risk is that of “company hijacking” which typically involves changing the details of the directors and registered office and thereafter committing fraudulent acts on the company’s behalf.

In order to help prevent such a fraud, Companies House are encouraging companies to register with their new online statutory PROOF scheme. We want to help you understand why you may wish to register your company and what you need to do to register your company.

What is the PROOF scheme?

PROOF stands for PROtected Online Filing. Once registered, a large number of company forms will only be accepted by Companies House when submitted through their Web filing service. Any paper forms will be rejected. Registering with the scheme can help company directors meet their responsibilities to take reasonable steps to protect the company’s assets from fraudulent activity.

It should be the rejection procedures will not apply to company accounts, which in the short-term will continue to be submitted in paper form.

The PROOF scheme is provided free of charge.

How do I register my company?

If we already provide you with Company Secretarial services and submit documents electronically on your behalf, simply email companysecretarial@jcca.co.uk stating your company name(s) and registration number(s) and we will do this on your behalf.

If you are not currently an existing Company Secretarial customer, we would be happy to provide this service to you. Please simply email the above address and we will get in touch with your usual Johnston Carmichael contact who can explain more about our services. With your approval they can then arrange for Johnston Carmichael to be registered to submit documents electronically on your behalf.

Please note that if you have previously registered for the old non-statutory version of PROOF you will need to re-register for the new statutory version.

We hope that this short summary of the PROOF scheme will be helpful to you in deciding whether you wish to register but if you require anything further please get in touch with your usual Johnston Carmichael contact, or David McBain, Partner, Audit and Assurance. 01343 547492. david.mcbain@jcca.co.uk.