Companies House email malware spam

UK email users should be on the lookout for bogus emails that appear to have been sent from Companies House.

Be on the watch out for emails carrying suspicious attachments

The UK registrar for limited companies deals with listing registered companies in the UK as well as listing public financial statements. However scammers are using their name in a spate of emails that attempt to lure email users into opening dangerous email attachments.

The frequency of these emails is becoming higher as the UK tax deadline is approaching.

 

Often these emails will claim that a complaint was submitted to Companies House and that the recipient must open the attachment to obtain further details.

But instead of details of a non-existant complaint, the recipient is exposed to lurking malware hiding in a .ZIP compressed folder. The malware is a .exe application.

Never open suspicious attachments on emails that you did not expect, even if they do appear to be legitimate. And NEVER run .exe attachments which are capable of installing malware into a computer as soon as they are opened!

If you have opened a suspicious attachment, you will need to run your antivirus security software straight away. If you do not have up-to-date security software or are looking to upgrade, check our recommendations here.