Companies House joins National Fraud Database at Cifas

Identity fraud continues to be the most prevalent fraud type recorded to the National Fraud Database, accounting for 59% of all cases during the first half of 2026. With criminals increasingly using false or stolen identities, the participation of Companies House on the database can strengthen its ability to identify and disrupt harmful activity at the earliest stage.

Joining the National Fraud Database also supports the significant reforms introduced through the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act, which grants stronger powers to verify the identities of directors and individuals linked to companies, improve the accuracy of the register and prevent the misuse of UK corporate structures. These reforms mark one of the most substantial overhauls of corporate regulation in decades, transforming Companies House into a more proactive guardian of corporate integrity.

Access to real-time, cross-sector fraud risk data and intelligence can also help Companies House to deliver these responsibilities with greater speed and insight. By identifying suspicious activity earlier, enabling faster intervention when company behaviour appears linked to fraud and further disrupting organised criminal networks, this can help close those gaps exploited by criminals and strengthen the integrity of the UKs corporate register.

This enhanced insight also provides greater protection for businesses and consumers alike, while supporting a more joined-up approach towards fraud prevention across the public and private sectors.

Expertise and intelligence

Andy King (CEO, Registrar of Companies and Regulator of Community Interest Companies from Companies House) said: “Companies House has a vital role to play in promoting economic growth and tackling the misuse of companies. By joining Cifas, we will be able to benefit from the expertise and intelligence of partner organisations to identify and prevent fraudulent activity, respond to emerging threats and reduce the harms experienced by businesses and the public from those committing economic crime.”

King added: “Membership will bolster our efforts to create a safer and more trusted business environment for legitimate businesses and the public.”

Mike Haley, CEO of Cifas, responded: “Companies House joining the National Fraud Database is a landmark moment for the UK’s fraud prevention ecosystem. Criminals have long sought to exploit company structures to perpetrate fraud. By sharing cross-sector data and intelligence, identifying risks earlier and aligning our efforts, we can make it significantly harder for fraudsters to operate and ensure we help to protect the integrity of the Companies House register.”

*Further information is available online at www.cifas.org.uk