PROtected Online Filing Scheme – PROOF

Here are some of the precautions we take to combat Corporate Identity Fraud on your company

Protected Online Filing Scheme

Once we have received your authentication code to file electronically, we can then sign up to PROOF, the new PROtected Online Filing service, which is designed to reduce identity fraud still further. We will then only accept forms relating to changes of address and directors’ details from you electronically.

PROtected Online Filing (PROOF) Service

Companies House is aware of the damage that can be caused by hijackers to companies and suppliers of goods and services. Company hijacks normally involve fraudsters changing the details of a company’s directors and registered office. To help combat company fraud, Companies House has introduced the PROOF (PROtected Online Filing) scheme.

To join the PROOF scheme, you will first need to be registered for the Companies House WebFiling Service. Once you have registered and completed the sign-in process, simply tick the box to confirm that you have agreed with the terms and conditions under section 1070 of the Companies Act 2006 and select ‘join PROOF’.

The scheme is designed to help companies protect themselves from fraudulent filings as it prevents individuals from filing certain paper forms. The forms covered by the PROOF scheme are:

  • Appointments
  • Terminations
  • Change of Particulars (Company Officers)
  • Change of Registered Office Address
  • Annual Return

Once registered for the PROOF scheme, Companies House will normally reject any paper versions of these forms and send them back to the registered office address. This helps to ensure that any changes made have been registered by the company itself. It is, therefore, vital that anyone authorised to file on behalf of the company is notified about the PROOF registration to avoid unnecessary rejections of paper documents.

PROOF is PROtected Online Filing. It enables companies to protect themselves from unauthorised changes to their company’s record as it prevents the filing of certain paper forms. These include documents for an appointment/termination/change of particulars of company officers and the change of the registered office.

Once you have successfully joined the scheme, Companies House will reject any paper versions of these forms and send them back to the registered office address. This will help ensure that any changes made have been registered by the company itself.

How do I register my company for PROOF?

The PROOF scheme is now available online via the …….

Once your company is in the PROOF scheme, you can be assured that attempts to file the following forms on paper will be rejected:

  • annual return
  • change of registered office address
  • appointment, termination or change of particulars of company officer

What filings are covered by Statutory PROOF?

The following filings are covered by the PROOF scheme:

  • Annual Return (AR01)
  • Appointment of director (AP01)
  • Appointment of secretary (AP03)
  • Appointment of corporate secretary (AP04)
  • Change of director’s details (CH01)
  • Change of secretary’s details (CH03)
  • Change of corporate secretary’s details (CH04)
  • Termination of appointment of director (TM01)
  • Termination of appointment of secretary (TM02)
  • Change of registered office address (AD01)

The PROOF scheme will reject paper submissions of the above forms only; any other form type filed on paper can be accepted.

The following filings can also be submitted using WebFiling

  • Notification of single alternative inspection location (SAIL) (AD02)
  • Notification of location of company records to the single alternative inspection location (SAIL) (AD03)
  • Change of location of company records to the registered office (AD04) Return of Allotments of Shares (SH01)
  • Change of Accounting Reference Date (AA01)
  • Audit Exempt Abbreviated Accounts
  • Dormant Company Accounts (DCA)

WebFiling

Using WebFiling, the  online filing service, is far safer and more secure way to send us statutory information than using paper forms sent by post. You need to register for a security code (issued by email) and an authentication code (issued by post to your registered office) and then you can send us much of the information about your company electronically. Our online registration service allows you to submit company information more securely and register for the PROOF service.

Web Filing Service

This is our online registration service which enables you to submit company information more securely.

Company Monitor

The Company Monitor service enables you to keep an eye on your own company and monitor which documents have been filed with the Registrar of Companies.

The PROOF scheme is designed to stop criminals from changing your company information using paper forms with forged signatures.

When you sign up to the PROOF service, you will submit the following forms electronically:

  • Director Appointments
  • Director Resignations
  • Change of Address (Company Officers)
  • Change of Registered Office Address
  • Annual Return

We strongly recommend that you do so to help protect your company from fraudulent filings.

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