Email from Companies House with .zip file attached.
September 2013 - Update below October version + another one
THE ATTACHMENT IS A VIRUS, being zipped can hide it from anti-virus software
I got an email through that looked like it came from Companies House. It was almost convincing, but a few things rang alarm bells:
1. My email address was not right, my server forwarded it me as it is my own domain.
2. I haven't had any dealings with companies house.
3. The attachment was small but zipped.
But the phone number and email address are genuine.
I Googled it but found nothing, so I thought I'd mention it!
Email Text -
"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 03/09/2013.
The submission number is FDR3VF8HFN0PIBV
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.
Not yet filing your accounts online? See how easy it is...
Note: reference to company may also include Limited Liability Partnership(s).
Thank you for using the Companies House WebFiling service.
Service Desk tel +44 (0)303 1234 500 or email enquiries@companieshouse.gov.uk"
I was concerned that it could possibly be genuine but had been sent to my domain by mistake. I forwarded directly to Companies House to check and inform them that there could be a scam or virus distribution using their name.
Reply from Companies House
Dear Sir or Madam
Thank you for your email yesterday, unfortunately your email was quarantined and as such we are unable to see the content. We are assuming that you contacted us about a Scam email that claims to have been sent by Companies House.
We have been made aware that random emails claiming to be from Companies House are being sent. 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.
Thank you for your vigilance and concern in this matter and for bringing it to our attention. If your email of yesterday was not regarding this issue, can I kindly request that you resend the email to us at enquiries@companieshouse.gov.uk and we will respond to your enquiry.
Yours sincerely
*********
Proof and Fraud Team
So there you have it. Don't open the attachment.
Update Companies House Email
I had a few more, as the above, sent through but now the format has changed and my AVG antivirus has caught the attachment.
The new email is headed - (AR01) Annual Return recieved
And with the text as follows:
Thank you for completing a submission Reference # (7604370).
Your unique submission number is 7604370 Check attachment to confirm acceptance or rejection of this filing. |
All web filed documents (with the exception of downloaded accounts templates) are available to view / download for 10 days after their original submission. Once accepted, these changes will be displayed on the public record. Not yet filing your accounts online? See how easy it is... For enquiries, please telephone the Service Desk on +44 (0)303 1234 500 or email enquiries@companieshouse.gov.uk This email was sent from a notification-only email address which cannot accept incoming mail. Please do not reply directly to this message. |
AVG Picked up:
- File_7604370.zip: Trojan horse Downloader.Generic13.BNKU
And Aother one - New Case
CC01) Company Complaint for the above company was accepted on 11/10/2013.
The submission number is 2K9B0T4C44F5RP9
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.
Not yet filing your accounts online? See how easy it is...
Note: reference to company may also include Limited Liability Partnership(s).
Thank you for using the Companies House WebFiling service.
Service Desk tel +44 (0)303 1234 500 or email enquiries@companieshouse.gov.uk
Note: This email was sent from a notification-only email address which cannot accept incoming email. Please do not reply directly to this message.
Viruses found in the attached files
* Complaint_2K9B0T4C44F5RP9.zip: Found Luhe.Fiha.A. The attachment was moved to the Virus Vault.