Banks Alerted to Rogue Filings at Companies House

Britain’s major banking institutions have been placed on high alert due to a surge in rogue filings discovered at Companies House, the primary register for UK corporations.

In a document obtained by Sky News, UK Finance, the trade association for banks, highlighted approximately 800 forms submitted late last month concerning the release of financial obligations. The notice, marked as “Urgent” upon its circulation last week, informed banks of the issue and indicated that both Companies House and the Department for Business and Trade had been notified.

While the exact circumstances remained unclear as of Sunday, industry leaders speculated about potential instances of fraud or hacking within the Companies House system.

What are Rogue Filings?

The memo from UK Finance underscored concerns raised by several members and legal firms regarding inaccuracies in the discharge of financial securities (registered charges) for numerous active business clients. It also cautioned about potential repercussions for lenders that would require resolution.

Companies House, a government-owned entity, oversees the registration and administration of millions of limited companies.

One insider described the situation as “deeply concerning” and criticised Companies House for its plans to hike fees in May, particularly when vulnerable to unauthorised corporate filings.

In response to inquiries from Sky News, a spokesperson for Companies House stated, “We are aware of this matter and we are investigating.”

UK Finance declined to provide further comment on the issue.

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