Someone has registered a company at my UK address without my consent. How do I resolve this?
Is someone using your address for their company / business without your permission? We can get your address removed wherever it is being used and get your life back on track. Contact us.
If you suspect that your address is being used without your consent, it is advisable to report it immediately to protect yourself and your company from any potential financial or legal consequences. Keep reading to know the steps you can take to protect yourself and your business from unauthorise use of your address.
How can I be sure that someone is using my address?
When you start receiving letters and marketing material addressed to people or businesses you’ve never heard of before, there is a possibility that someone is using your address. To be certain that your address is being used without your consent, you can do an address search with the company’s name or registration number on Companies House website. This will provide information on the company's registration status, registered address, directors, and other details.
Google search can be used as an essential tool to find businesses that are using your address and identify any fraudulent activities too. It is important to immediately reach out to the company or its representative to notify them and request your address to be removed from their files.
Why would someone use my address for their company without my consent?
There are many reasons why someone would use your address, however, it is important to monitor your address usage to protect yourself and your company. Some of the reasons can be:
Error/ mistake.
Someone may have used your address mistakenly by inputting the wrong information when filling out forms. You can contact the company and clarify any errors to avoid confusion in the future.
Don’t want to be traced
Someone may use your address to avoid being traced due to either tax evasion or illegal activities. This is known as address fraud. This can cause identity theft which involves fabrication of documents like bank statements, making unauthorised purchases, or applying for credit in the company’s name.
How is it possible for someone to register a company at my address without me signing any forms or agreements?
Once you register your company at Companies House, it is easier for people to access your address since it is public. Companies House neither asks for proof nor verifies the accuracy of the information filled in by businesses/ companies, making it easy for people to use your address.
Companies House is aware of its inadequacy stating that it currently has limited powers to correct or query information. It further states that it will take a more robust approach to dealing with information that's provided to them before it's accepted and published on the register. The radical reforms, which will take place in the next 2 years, will give powers to the registrar to check the information provided to Companies House.
Reporting unauthorised use of your address can protect both you as an individual and your business entity.
Those responsible for such illegal activity can be prosecuted under criminal law which may result in major negative consequences, including fines and termination of the business operations.
What are the consequences that I might face as a result of my address being used by a business without my consent?
Besides having junk mail, unauthorised access can cause damage to your business in many ways. You may start receiving unwanted visitors who may demand a refund or complain about products and services you did not authorize. This may lead you to compensate people affected by identity theft.
You may be accused of conducting fraudulent activities such as financial fraud or identity theft. This may damage your reputation by bringing about confusion and affecting trust and confidence among your clients and stakeholders.
Additionally, your business may be blacklisted by financial institutions or eCommerce platforms making it difficult for you to open accounts, access services or make purchases in the future.
Unauthorised use of your address may lead to data breach. Sensitive information may be exposed to unauthorized people putting your business or company at stake.
You can also be fined by the government or entities for failing to comply with regulations and violating terms of services.
It is important for organizations to quickly act when they detect unauthorized use of their address to prevent such damages.
What should I do to protect myself and my address from companies using my address without my consent?
To resolve the unauthorised company address usage, there are steps to be followed.
Contact the representative of the company
You should immediately contact the company or a representative and request them to remove your address from their files. To get their contact information, you can do an address search on Companies House website.
You may have to get assistance from your lawyer or the local council if the individual or the company refuses to listen to you, or if you continue to get posts addressed to your address without authorisation.
Report to the police
If you believe your address has been used for fraudulent activities, it is important to report the incident to the police as soon as possible. You should provide proof or evidence that is being misused, i.e., any document or data you have. They will issue you with a crime reference number for future use when you present it to either Companies House, insurers, or other agencies. Always keep in mind that you need to maintain a record of every activity done and communication in case you need to revisit them later.
Report to Trading Standards
Trading Standards will use the information you provide them to investigate illegal business or unfair trading activities. They can take the business to court or stop their operation.
Notify Companies House
You can notify Companies House to remove your address from the business. To remove your address from Companies House, you must complete and submit the RPO7 form for a limited company and an LLRPO7 form for a limited liability partnership.
To change the business owner's address, you must submit the ADO1 form, and CHO1 form to change the director’s address. While submitting the forms, you should also attach supporting evidence, such as documents showing the applicant’s rights to use the address.
The forms must be delivered online through Companies House website, or by post, which might take longer.
Once the form is submitted, Companies House will review the situation and make corrections to the register if unauthorised use is confirmed. It will issue a default address until the matter is resolved.
However, after removing the address, it can still be seen under the filling history. To be permanently removed, one will need to obtain a court order, according to Companies House. It is important to note that the legal cost and proof burden will be on the person whose address is being used.
It is important to stay vigilant to protect yourself and safeguard your company’s image from identity theft. With today’s digital age, it is easy for people to use your address to conduct fraudulent activities putting you and your address at risk. If you suspect your address is being used to conduct fraudulent activities, report immediately and take the necessary measures to secure yourself.