The Accountancy AML Supervisors’ Group (AASG) have issued a warning on the emerging threat of the misuse of registered offices. Although it is more likely that UK serviced office addresses hide the true location of fraudsters, the AASG's professional body supervisors have noted cases where the address of an accountancy firm is used as the registered address for the fraudsters' companies.

The AASG suggests that all firms go to Companies House webcheck and put in their office postcode to check who is registered there.

If you do find a 'cuckoo' who is using your address, you can try and contact the company to get it changed, alternatively ask Companies House. If you ask for the address to be changed, this would then go to a default Companies House address, see Change a company address.

HMRC have produced a free webinar for Trust or Company Service Providers that covers risks not appropriately identified and assessed by businesses in relation to the provision of registered offices and business address services which we recommend firms view. The free webinar can be accessed here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/recording/7015460747510021389

Useful guides

Visit our Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Zone
News. checklists and guidance

External links

AASG Misuse of registered offices


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