Reply to: Dormant 'Non Trading' Agencies = Scam ?

[cojak]

You are strange (and that's how I found it.)

I know...

(It's almost as good as popping balloons)

[SueEllen]

I've been having a lot of fun lately with this piece of info

You are strange (and that's how I found it.)

[cojak]

Not looking for an argument, NLUK but I think the basic legal requirement is to have the Company Registration details 'somewhere' on the website rather than front page specifically. I eventually found BP's but am still looking for Shell's. M&S is to be found on the contacts page. These gigantic corporates have some excuse for not appearing to comply with the fine print of the Companies Acts because their sites are very large. I am sure if I dig deeply enough I will find they comply.

However, when my little business is about to engage with an agency, accountant, client (or heavens forbid) umbrella, I ensure they are registered and viable (apparently) at that time, initially through their website and subsequently through supplementary checks.

Quite right Taita, it can be anywhere on the webpage. But you don't have to wade through the website manually (we are IT contractors after all....)

Just use Google! (Everyone else does).

Enter in Google search registered office site:shell.co.uk and the required webpage (http://www.shell.co.uk/gbr/about-our...onditions.html) will show up in the search.

I've been having a lot of fun lately with this piece of info

[Safe Collections]

It is potentially possible the agency in question is non limited (Eg. sole trader or partnership) and they are using the dormant company to "protect" the name/branding.

But in our experience it is usually a bad sign when people are trading via apparently dormant entities.

[SueEllen]

Why would you put your home address and DOB on a contractor CV anyway?

DOB doesn't need to be on any CVs regardless of whether you are a contractor, temp, permie or organ grinder.

[Project Monkey]

Why would you put your home address and DOB on a contractor CV anyway?

[tomtomagain]

What exactly is a CV capture scam? I generally want my CV circulated as widely as possible when I'm looking for a new gig, so not sure what the problem is.

A CV capture scam is capturing a CV under false pretences and using it for something other than the purpose you intend.

For example selling it to a fraudster.

Your CV is likely to ( by its very nature ) contain lots of useful and accurate information, for example your contact details. Home address. Maybe a date of birth. Educational details. All great stuff if you want to go on a phishing expedition.

[cojak]

I can't see a problem with naming names in this instance.

HTH?

[SueEllen]

Not looking for an argument, NLUK but I think the basic legal requirement is to have the Company Registration details 'somewhere' on the website rather than front page specifically. I eventually found BP's but am still looking for Shell's. M&S is to be found on the contacts page. These gigantic corporates have some excuse for not appearing to comply with the fine print of the Companies Acts because their sites are very large. I am sure if I dig deeply enough I will find they comply.

I was watching one of those consumer programs (last year I think it was) some large corporations in the UK and the rest of the EU do not comply.

Oh and Shells are here

However, when my little business is about to engage with an agency, accountant, client (or heavens forbid) umbrella, I ensure they are registered and viable (apparently) at that time, initially through their website and subsequently through supplementary checks.

I do this as a business and as a consumer.

[northernladuk]

Not looking for an argument, NLUK but I think the basic legal requirement is to have the Company Registration details 'somewhere' on the website rather than front page specifically. I eventually found BP's but am still looking for Shell's. M&S is to be found on the contacts page. These gigantic corporates have some excuse for not appearing to comply with the fine print of the Companies Acts because their sites are very large. I am sure if I dig deeply enough I will find they comply.

However, when my little business is about to engage with an agency, accountant, client (or heavens forbid) umbrella, I ensure they are registered and viable (apparently) at that time, initially through their website and subsequently through supplementary checks.

No argument from me. I didn't look that closely into it and now I have it appears you are correct.

http://www.mso.net/Websites-must-dis...ompany-details

[Taita]

Check the details on the webpage. They should show their company registration number, place of registration, and registered office address on the front page, some have it in the about us section but try that.

Not looking for an argument, NLUK but I think the basic legal requirement is to have the Company Registration details 'somewhere' on the website rather than front page specifically. I eventually found BP's but am still looking for Shell's. M&S is to be found on the contacts page. These gigantic corporates have some excuse for not appearing to comply with the fine print of the Companies Acts because their sites are very large. I am sure if I dig deeply enough I will find they comply.

However, when my little business is about to engage with an agency, accountant, client (or heavens forbid) umbrella, I ensure they are registered and viable (apparently) at that time, initially through their website and subsequently through supplementary checks.

[Project Monkey]

Looking at some 'opportunities' presented by various Ltd. agencies, I checked out the agency details on companycheck.co.uk (any company I potentially work with gets this check now !)

One particular agency is 3 years old but dormant 'Non trading' with £0 Net Worth. They also have a parent company at the same address, 7 years old also dormant 'Non trading' with £0 Net Worth.

Their Web site looks professional.

Is this agency a cv capture scam ? Obviously they don't have a bank account at the moment due to their dormant status.

What exactly is a CV capture scam? I generally want my CV circulated as widely as possible when I'm looking for a new gig, so not sure what the problem is.

[northernladuk]

Check the details on the webpage. They should show their company registration number, place of registration, and registered office address on the front page, some have it in the about us section but try that.

[SueEllen]

They don't need to have their bank account info on the email or website but should have their VAT number.

If they don't have that and the company is dormant (and I would double check with companies house who hold the original information) then have nothing to do with them.

If they persist in pursuing you then are going to have to contact the Department of BIS by phone. (Their email addresses don't work.) As they are either scammers or have banned directors.

[SunnyInHades]

I'm sure it's the same company as
Address associated with Ltd = Registered address showing on companycheck.co.uk

From companycheck.co.uk:
Company Status: Non trading
Business Activity: Non trading company
Type: Private limited with Share capital