14 DAY TRIAL // Companies House, the United Kingdom agency responsible for incorporating and dissolving companies, is warning Internet users about fake malware-spreading emails that leverage the organization’s reputation.
“We have been made aware that random emails claiming to be from Companies House are being sent,” the organization stated.
“These mails have NOT been generated by Companies House and we strongly advise you not to open any attachments or click any suspicious links within the email, as it may contain a virus. Our customers should be assured that the details we hold have not been compromised.”
According to Hoax Slayer, the scam Companies House emails sent out by cybercriminals contain an attachment that hides a piece of malware.
The Companies House is not the only UK government organization whose reputation is currently being exploited by cybercriminals. A similar spam run is abusing the name of the Land Registry, the government agency responsible for registering ownership of land and property.
For additional information on how to identify fake Companies House emails check out the organization’s dedicated page.
The malicious emails currently making the rounds read something like this:
“This message has been generated in response to the company complaint submitted to Companies House WebFiling service.
(CC01) Company Complaint for the above company was accepted on 06/09/2013. The submission number is NIMXA1ZGK638SOL
Please quote this number in any communications with Companies House.
All WebFiled documents are available to view / download for 10 days after their original submission. However it is not possible to view copies of accounts that were downloaded as templates.
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Note: reference to company may also include Limited Liability Partnership(s). Thank you for using the Companies House WebFiling service.”