Fraud, what to look for

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2 Spotting a fraud Location Website Document filing history Accounts filed Director information Application form Fraud, what to look for Case Studies Fraudulent company - Star Catcher Limited Impersonation Laxmi Properties Limited

3 Location Verify addresses by using the Royal mail link below Use Google maps to verify address, street view is a useful tool. Contact the businesses next door to find out how long they have been based there or if they are there at all. Be wary of virtual office addresses as a business does not have to be physically based at the address. Also mail and telephone call can be forwarded to an alternative address or number. Look out for large orders being delivered to a residential address.

4 Website Verify the website address on whois search which will provide you with all the registration details.

5 Document filing history Fraud, what to look for Companies House Direct list all the documents filed. Look for unusual filing patterns. A number of changes in the registered office in a short space of time. Filing dormant accounts, then filing an amended trading set. Accounts submitted shortly after the year-end date. Accounts filed for different accounting periods within a short period of each other. Changes in company officials.

6 Accounts filed Fraud, what to look for Look out for unusual high levels of turnover and profit for the first year s trading. Make sure the share capital stated in the accounts match the amount stated on the annual return. A revaluation reserve can only be stated on the first year s trading results. Check directors were appointed for the trading period and when the accounts were signed.

7 Director information Fraud, what to look for Check for any other director associations via credit line by taking a director report. Our system only picks up the association if the name and service address is exactly the same. Check the date company officials were appointed or when they resigned and the date these documents were filed at Companies House. The resignation and appointment dates can be back dated.

8 Application form Fraud, what to look for Check all the information on the application form matches the credit report. This includes all addresses, VAT number, telephone address, business activity, website. Be wary of hotmail, google and yahoo addresses. Follow up trade references if you are not sure about an application.

9 VAT numbers can be verified using the following link; edlanguage=en

10 Star Catcher Limited - Case Study Fraud, what to look for Location: Railway House, Bruton Way, Gloucester, GL1 1DG Serviced office address Telephone number for the premises

11 2 sets of amended trading accounts filed within 17 days. Appointment date stated as 01/09/2011. The 29/02/2012 and 28/02/2013 accounts were filed as non-trading accounts. Since May 2013 there has been a surge in filings at Companies House.

12 38% profit margin

13 Annual Return made up to 22/02/2013 states share capital as 1

14 The company was established 22/02/2011 and the first enquiry was on 06/09/2013.

15 Graydon took away the rating on 01/10/2013 and consequently CCJs in excess of 49K has been registered.

16 The addresses provided were Rosemary Street, Mansfield, NG18 1QL and Hanger 9, Main Street, Normanton, Bottesford, Nottingham, NG13 0EP Serviced office again. The delivery address of Hangar 9 is a storage address.

17 Case Study Laxmi Properties Limited Website: The company has been established since 24/02/1997

18 Laxmi Properties had no contact details on the web, so it was an ideal company to impersonate. Some impersonators change the registered office of the company. If you have a signed application form compare signatures with documents filed at Companies House if you are unable to contact the legitimate company. If the accounts have been audited check if they are registered members of ACCA and ICAEW. Recently we were alerted to another impersonation related to Laxmi Properties Limited. Dorridge Estates Limited

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20 Any Questions?