How to protect yourself and your company from scams
On this page, we have compiled information about how you can protect yourself and your company from scams and takeovers.
Take special care of personal details
The Finnish Trade Register is a register for public use. Anyone is entitled to obtain information about the entries made in the Finnish Trade Register, as well as the filed notifications and their enclosures. Therefore, do not give any personal identity codes and home addresses unless specifically requested. Do not attach any documents that contain personal identity codes, home addresses, or sensitive information, such as health details.
Beware of scam messages and misleading communications
As a client of the Finnish Patent and Registration Office (PRH), you might receive emails, letters, phone calls and invoices that have nothing to do with the PRH. Scammers use current topics in their messages, so be alert. Misleading communications may come from Finland or other countries in Finnish or English.
Always check the email address from which the message was actually sent. The PRH sends its email messages from an address ending with @prh.fi.
Beware of scam websites
Scam websites may include content from the PRH websites and the layout can be similar to them. Check the website address in your browser. The website you are at now is at https://www.prh.fi/fi/index.html. The other PRH website, ytj.fi, is at https://ytj.fi/.
Be alert when identifying yourself and always check the website address. The correct address for Suomi.fi e-Identification is https://tunnistautuminen.suomi.fi.
Use our services
The PRH provides services that can help you protect yourself from scams. These services are free of charge.
Check your details and file a prohibition of registration
You can check your details entered in our registers.
If you suspect that your personal data are being misused, file a prohibition of registration with the PRH. We will then not register you as a person responsible for a company, an association or a foundation without contacting you first and asking for your consent.
Monitor changes in your company’s Trade Register details
You will automatically receive an email notification about changes in your company’s details if the email address is up to date in the Finnish Trade Register. Read more about monitoring changes in your company's details.
Private traders: choose only online notifications
When you file your notification online at ytj.fi as a private trader, choose that your company can only file notifications online. This is how you make sure that only authorised persons will be able to file notifications with the Finnish Trade Register for your company in the future. Read more about choosing only online notifications at ytj.fi.Avautuu uuteen välilehteen
What to do if you suspect a company takeover?
If you suspect that someone has filed without permission a notification with the Finnish Trade Register in your company’s name, you should contact the Trade Register’s advisory service immediately.
If necessary, report the offence to the police.Avautuu uuteen välilehteen
Have you been subjected to a data breach or data leak?
Finnish authorities have compiled instructions for your situation in a guide at suomi.fi.Avautuu uuteen välilehteen Via the guide, you can file the necessary blocks with the Digital and Population Data Services Agency.
Further information on scams
Read more about fake invoices and other types of scams on the website of the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (FCCA)Avautuu uuteen välilehteen.
Read also the guides of National Cyber Security Centre FinlandAvautuu uuteen välilehteen about scams and how to protect from them.