PRO warns companies of scams

Scam emails purporting to be from the Patent and Registration Office (PRO) are circulating.

Fraudulent emails are circulating, claiming to be from the PRO. The emails ask businesses to update their contact details by replying. The emails are fraudulent.

The emails contain a button which the recipient is asked to click. However, that should not be done: the PRO reminds businesses that government authorities or banks will never send such emails.

Several scams purporting to be from PRO

We reported in April on fraudulent messages claiming to be from the PRO which asked recipients to provide their personal banking details. The PRH points out that documents, such as minutes or articles of association, containing personal IDs, home addresses, health data, or other sensitive data, should not be attached to filings to registers.

If a company files on paper, it should submit personal identification details using a separate personal data form. Personal ID numbers and home addresses should not be filled in on other forms.

Company may choose electronic notifications

In the Business Information System or YTJ, a company can choose to receive notifications electronically only. The business can thus ensure that only a person who is authorized to make filings can make them to the trade register and the Tax Administration. The PRO sends an automatic notification about changes to the trade register if the company has supplied an email address.

The PRO encourages businesses to file for a registration prohibition if it suspects its data have been misused. After the prohibition, the business owner will not be registered as a responsible officer of a company without specific consent. If a business owner suspects that someone has filed a notification to the trade register without permission while purporting to represent the company, they should contact the trade register advisory services. If necessary, a business owner should file a crime report with the police.

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