Insolvency Service related scams and fraud
If you’re unsure about an email, letter, call or text you receive from the Insolvency Service, get in touch with us.
Scams and fraud are increasingly common, they are also becoming far more sophisticated.
If you receive any communication from the Insolvency Service that you’re unsure about, such as an email, letter, call or text – contact our Customer Service Team immediately.
Get in touch with us
To contact our Customer Service Team:
- call 0300 678 0015
- send a general enquiry
Our staff will be able to check if the communication is genuine.
You will also find our contact details on our GOV.UK homepage.
The Insolvency Service will never:
- randomly contact you to request money
- authorise other companies to request money from you
- put you under pressure to give away your personal details
You will also never be asked to pay any money upfront by a genuine Insolvency Practitioner.
Things to look out for
Scammers and fraudsters pretend to be the Insolvency Service by creating and using fake:
- letters - signed using names of genuine Insolvency Service staff
- emails - sent from fake Insolvency Service employee or team addresses
- telephone and bank details - sent on fake Insolvency Service correspondence
Genuine Insolvency Service emails only come from:
- firstname.surname@insolvency.gov.uk
- teamname@insolvency.gov.uk
If you’re unsure if something you’ve received is from the Insolvency Service, get in touch with us immediately.
Report it to Action Fraud
If scammers or fraudsters contact you pretending to be the Insolvency Service.
Report the incident to Action Fraud as soon as possible so it can be investigated by police – fraud is a crime.
Also call our Customer Service Team on 0300 678 0015 or complete a general enquiry form.
Scam letter example
Here is an example of a fake letter fraudsters have sent to victims, to help you identify the kind of thing they might do.
Investment recovery scam
This example is based on an actual fake letter that’s been used in an ‘investment recovery scam’ – it includes:
- an Insolvency Service logo
- your name and address
- a barcode / reference number
- the name of a genuine company (from the Companies House register)
- the name of the company you invested in (but lost your money)
- a fake Insolvency Service telephone number
- name of an Insolvency Service employee
The letter:
- says the company is authorised to recover the lost money
- asks you to give them your details
- wants you to send them more information
Have a look at our example:
Further guidance and information
Read our news alert which gives more information, advice and support.
If you’ve been a victim of fraud where you transferred your money to a scammer’s bank account, read the guidance from Citizens Advice to check if you can get your money back after a scam.