DURHAM police are warning people to be vigilant against a new scam targeting new businesses.

The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) has issued information about the scam in which businesses are sent a letter soon after registering with Companies House and are asked to pay a “fee”.

The letter from Register of Companies and Businesses purports to be linked to Companies House claiming the recipient is required to “confirm their registration”.

The Company requests a fee of £190 to register and publicise the new company information.

Their website states that the fee is for entry into the register which operates in UK - giving people the opportunity to use the websites services.

The letter states “lack of payment will result in lack of your company`s entry in regist.co.uk”.

The implication is that this is required as part of the Companies Registration, when that is not the case.

Police are urging people to protect themselves from such fraud by never responding to such communications and to treat any unsolicited contact followed by a request for an advance payment/fee as an indication that someone is trying to defraud you.

If you have fallen victim to this scam please contact Action Fraud to make a report by calling 0300-123-20-40.