PROOF at Companies House: Complete Fraud Prevention Guide

Key Takeaways

1. PROOF at Companies House is a free digital filing protection tool that safeguards your company from fraud by blocking unauthorised paper filings on high-risk forms.
2. Enrolling in PROOF prevents criminals from changing vital company details without consent, significantly reducing the risk of corporate identity theft in the UK.
3. Registration for PROOF is quick and done via Companies House WebFiling using your company’s authentication code.
4. Failing to join PROOF leaves your business vulnerable to fraudsters who may attempt unauthorised changes or even appoint fake directors.
5. The PROOF service specifically secures critical documents—like changes to your registered office address—protecting you from costly errors and disputes.
6. Removing your business from PROOF or making errors during set-up can put your company’s official records at serious risk.
7. If you notice any suspicious or unauthorised filing attempt, you must act immediately—usually by reporting the incident and submitting a PR03 form to reverse fraudulent changes.
8. Ongoing protection with PROOF is vital, but comprehensive security includes using Go-Legal AI’s expert-approved documents and monitoring solutions.
9. Go-Legal AI is rated Excellent on Trustpilot with over 170 five-star reviews from satisfied UK business users.

How Does PROOF at Companies House Protect Your Business from Fraud?

If you own or manage a UK company, you may be concerned that fraudsters could alter your official company details without your knowledge. Every month, hundreds of businesses fall victim to unauthorised paper filings—these attacks can lead to fake director appointments, illicit address changes, and even total loss of company control. The impact is serious: financial losses, reputational damage, and operational headaches.

PROOF at Companies House stops this threat. It creates a digital barrier that blocks paper submissions on key forms, allowing only secure online filings using your company authentication code. This decisive measure prevents criminals from submitting forged paper documents that would otherwise put your business at risk.

Protecting your business is not a one-time task. Go-Legal AI makes it simple to enrol in PROOF, while also providing expert-vetted documents and compliance monitoring to give you ongoing peace of mind.

What is PROOF at Companies House and How Does It Prevent Fraud?

PROOF (Protected Online Filing) is a Companies House service for businesses incorporated in England & Wales that prevents unauthorised paper submissions for high-risk company updates. By enrolling in PROOF, you ensure only online filings—with your authentication code—are accepted for key changes, such as directorship, address, or company name. This means fraudsters cannot alter your public record via paper forms.

The legal foundation for PROOF sits in Section 1070 of the Companies Act 2006, which requires Companies House to reject paper filings for protected companies. This legal requirement makes your digital records far harder to tamper with. Only those in possession of the authentication code can authorise sensitive changes.

If you’re unsure whether your business is already protected, our instant PROOF status checker quickly confirms your enrolment and helps you register—eliminating any guesswork.

Why Is PROOF at Companies House Essential for Protecting UK Companies?

Corporate identity theft is a rising threat in the UK. Fraudsters can exploit paper filing loopholes at Companies House, targeting any business—large or small. Unscrupulous parties can submit false forms to change your directors, relocate your registered office, or even add fake shareholders, often before you realise anything is wrong. Such attacks can disrupt bank accounts, misdirect business correspondence, and severely harm your company’s public reputation.

PROOF prevents these scenarios by making paper attacks virtually impossible on essential forms. Only secure, online changes—linked to your unique authentication code—are accepted, so unauthorised actions are blocked at entry. Directors and business owners increasingly see PROOF as the “seatbelt” of company security: a simple, proactive step that closes one of the biggest gaps in the Companies House system.

Which Company Forms and Details Are Protected by PROOF?

The PROOF service covers a targeted group of Companies House forms—each is a common vector for fraud or error. Once enrolled, these forms must be submitted online, secured by your company authentication code. Companies House will automatically reject any unauthorised paper attempt to change protected details.

Each filing requires your unique company authentication code, which acts as a digital signature only you control. If you lose this code, you must request a replacement before any online filings can be made.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Register for PROOF at Companies House Using WebFiling

Registering for PROOF is direct, but each step matters. Follow this practical process to ensure your company’s details are protected immediately:

1. Go to the Companies House WebFiling portal on gov.uk.
2. Enter your company number and secure authentication code.
3. Select your business profile and navigate to “Join PROOF” or “Protected Online Filing” under security settings.
4. Carefully read the PROOF service terms. Understand that paper filings for protected forms will now be refused.
5. Click to accept and submit your PROOF registration.
6. Receive instant on-screen confirmation and a notification email to your official company email address.

For extra clarity, you can access our downloadable PROOF Registration Checklist—complete with step-by-step visuals and compliance reminders.

What Happens if Someone Tries to File Unauthorised Changes When PROOF is Enabled? (With Real-World Scenarios)

When your company is enrolled in PROOF, Companies House instantly blocks the processing of any unauthorised paper filing on protected forms. No changes are made, and you’ll receive a notification highlighting the refused attempt. This system acts as both a lock and an early warning tool against fraud.

If a fraudster attempts to appoint themselves as a director or disrupt your records, the system’s online barrier ensures only authorised, code-secured filings ever reach your public profile. For full-layered protection, use compliance monitoring from Go-Legal AI for real-time alerts if suspicious account activity is detected.

Key Mistakes to Avoid When Using Companies House PROOF Service

Even robust systems like PROOF can be undermined by user error. Below are key mistakes small businesses make—alongside practical advice for staying secure:

PROOF at Companies House vs. Statement of Filing: What’s the Difference and Why Does It Matter?

Don’t confuse PROOF with the Companies House Statement of Filing. The Statement of Filing simply emails you when a change is made, but does nothing to stop unauthorised changes via paper. In contrast, PROOF outright refuses paper filings for protected forms.

What to Do if You Spot a Fraudulent or Suspicious Filing (Step-by-Step Response)

Spotting an unexpected Companies House notification is a red flag; immediate action can prevent serious financial or reputational loss. Here’s the right response:

1. Log in to WebFiling and review your company’s recent activity for unauthorised changes.
2. Contact Companies House urgently—by phone and email—to flag the fraudulent update.
3. Complete and submit a PR03 form to reverse or remove the fraudulent change.
4. Provide any ID or supporting documentation urgently to expedite corrective action.
5. Continue to monitor your company’s records for signs of further suspicious activity over the following weeks.

Ongoing Security Tips: Best Practices After Joining PROOF

Enrolling in PROOF is only the first step. Consistent company security demands continued vigilance:

• Never disclose your authentication code. Limit access to only those who must file on behalf of your company.
• Regularly review Companies House notifications, acting on anything unusual without delay.
• Keep director and shareholder contact information current to avoid accidental removals or miscommunications.
• Use automated compliance reminders to avoid missed filings and maintain protected status.
• Routinely audit account access to detect and remove unnecessary users.

You can download our free Go-Legal AI Company Security Checklist for step-by-step actions to keep your business records locked down.

How Go-Legal AI Simplifies Fraud Prevention with PROOF at Companies House

Go-Legal AI empowers UK business owners to manage fraud risk simply and effectively:

• Instantly check if your company is enrolled in PROOF and register with our easy workflows.
• Use our AI-powered document review tool to analyse filings and detect unusual changes.
• Access trusted, expert-reviewed legal templates for all Companies House processes—ensuring filings remain fully compliant.
• Receive automated compliance alerts if your PROOF status or filings change unexpectedly.
• Ask our experienced support team for real-time help—rated 4.9/5 by business owners across the UK.

With Go-Legal AI, you get a single, secure platform to register for PROOF, maintain security, and resolve any issues fast.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is PROOF at Companies House mandatory for my company?

No. PROOF enrolment is optional but highly recommended for every UK registered company seeking to prevent unauthorised filings and reduce fraud risks.

How can I check if my company is already registered for PROOF?

Log in via Companies House WebFiling or use our instant PROOF status checker to find out quickly if you’re enrolled and protected.

Can I still submit paper forms after joining PROOF?

No. Once enrolled, you must submit covered forms online using your authentication code. Paper forms for these actions will be rejected.

What is a Companies House authentication code and where do I find it?

It’s a unique six-character code issued to your registered office—your business’s digital signature for making secure filings online.

Which company forms are blocked from paper filing by PROOF?

Forms such as CS01, AD01, NM01, AP01/AP02, TM01, and CH01 are only accepted online once enrolled. Paper submissions are barred.

How do I remove my company from PROOF, and is it safe?

You may opt out in your WebFiling account, but this is risky—your company will then be at risk of paper filings again, so only remove PROOF if you have strong alternative safeguards in place.

What should I do if I receive a suspicious Companies House notification?

Log in and check your company’s filings immediately. Contact Companies House and act swiftly if you spot unrecognised changes.

Does PROOF prevent all types of company fraud, or just filing scams?

PROOF only blocks unauthorised paper filings. You’ll still need wider security measures to fully protect against other types of fraud such as online banking scams.

What is a PR03 form and when is it used?

PR03 is the Companies House form for correcting company records after fraudulent or accidental changes. File it urgently if you spot tampering.

Can Go-Legal AI help recover my company’s records after fraud?

Yes—our platform offers PR03 workflows, automatic restoration templates, and ongoing compliance guidance to help restore your company’s records and confidence after fraud.

Secure Your Company Against Fraud with Go-Legal AI’s PROOF Tools

PROOF at Companies House is the foundation of strong company security. Without it, your business is left exposed to paper-based fraud, fake director appointments, and damaging address changes. Relying on manual monitoring and generic processes creates dangerous gaps. Even one error can have lasting legal and financial consequences.

Switching to secure, online-only filings through PROOF gives your business the full protection of the UK’s leading company registry. Our platform makes every step—checking, enrolling, monitoring, and recovering from fraud—fast, simple, and stress-free. Join Go-Legal AI for ongoing peace of mind.

Start your free trial and protect your company against fraud today.