- "In the last 20 years our business has changed considerably…and as the focus of our business has changed, Bird Luckin have moved with us."
Alex Tanner, George Tanner (Shalford) Ltd - "Bird Luckin has looked after us incredibly well for over 60 years, they are pro-active and innovational - meeting all our needs to help us achieve our aims."
Richard Stubbings, Cliffords Limited - "I can honestly say that Bird Luckin are the best firm of accountants and auditors I have ever dealt with - and I don't say that lightly!"
Colin Webb, Walthamstow Stadium - "It's important for us to know that we will always be able to contact the right people to give us the right advice and support."
Jane Bennett, Bennetts Funeral Directors - "Although we deal mainly with one Partner … we also know that if we need to contact someone else who is a specialist in another area, we can get the advice we need quickly and easily"
Jeremy Ruggles, J.S. Wright & Sons Ltd - "Bird Luckin got us to a stage which would have taken us months - if not years - to reach on our own, and they got us there in a matter of weeks"
Matthew Sullivan, SNC Ltd - "You can be a good accountant, but if you don't have an understanding of the industry it can be very difficult. "There are two or three people we have regular contact with at Bird Luckin who know our business well, and it makes a difference.""
Robert Church, W A Church (Bures) Ltd - "The work which Bird Luckin has done for Boddingtons over the past few months has helped shape our future direction for the better."
John Warner, Chief Executive, Boddingtons Ltd - "Bird Luckin has acted for us since our inception 10 years ago. They have a very 'can do' yet highly professional attitude - we are very appreciative of their support and advice over the years."
Marlon Fox, Outlook Property Ltd
Protecting your business against identity fraud
Identity fraud is an ever-increasing problem in the UK. According to the Home Office, the annual cost is now £1.7bn, with businesses shouldering around £50m of the burden.
The problem of individual identity fraud is relatively well-publicised. Known methods used by criminals to obtain sensitive information include searching through rubbish bins to find discarded bank statements; intercepting mail; copying credit cards during a transaction; and so-called 'phishing' scams, which involve sending emails which look as though they have come from a bank or similar organisation, and asking customers to 'confirm' their details by return email.
But businesses are also at risk, and as well as the potential financial damage, corporate identity fraud could ruin a company's reputation.
Corporate hijacking
There is a growing trend of corporate 'hijacking', with fraudsters registering as company directors at Companies House and then purchasing goods and services from suppliers, which they have no intention of paying for.
A common method used by the criminals involves accessing registered company records, changing the details of the company directors and registered address, and using the stolen identity to order goods, which are then intercepted at the fake address. Criminals can also make use of publicly available company bank account details and signatures for fraudulent purposes.
Reducing the risk
Clearly, it makes sense to minimise your exposure to an identity fraud risk.
Businesses can help to protect themselves by putting in place the following procedures:
- Storing sensitive documents in a secure place
- Shredding documents before disposing of them
- Checking their registered company details at Companies House regularly, to ensure that they have not been changed
- Registering for the 'Monitor' email alert system with Companies House (part of the Companies House Direct service, available at www.companieshouse.gov.uk), to receive notification whenever their company details are changed
- Ensuring staff are aware of the issues surrounding identity fraud, and limiting access to sensitive information to key staff
- Checking customers' credentials before extending credit to them
- Reducing the risk of electronic hijacking by ensuring that firewall and anti-virus software is up-to-date, and only opening legitimate email attachments
- Keeping key company bank account details out of the public domain.
- Reducing risks by regularly reviewing the security on the company's web site especially if credit card transactions are processed through it.