Tech Companies Shut Down Over Suspected Direct Debit Scam
The Insolvency Service has shut down two technology companies based in Manchester amid concerns of a direct debit scam. Affinity Technology Solutions Limited and RCSR Tech Limited, which claimed to offer services to enhance online presence and protect digital identities, were both wound up at the High Court on March 24th, 2025.
Affinity purportedly offered IDSafeGuard, a service to protect online identities, while RCSR provided ReportCurve, designed to boost an individual’s online profile. However, reports surfaced of unauthorized monthly fees of around £29.99 being deducted from customers’ bank accounts for services they never subscribed to. These unwanted subscriptions appeared to originate from online loan applications through an affiliated marketing company’s website.
Furthermore, customers complained that the companies failed to cancel these unauthorized services nor offer refunds. Records show that Affinity and RCSR were incorporated in February 2020, just two days apart. Both companies were registered at Companies House as involved in business and domestic software development.
Investigations by the Insolvency Service revealed a link between the companies, with the same controlling force behind both, despite not being listed as the official director. Additionally, the registered office for both companies was the same location on Wilmslow Road in south Manchester. The official directors of both companies, as well as the individual believed to be in actual control, failed to cooperate with the investigation.
Adding to the concerns, both companies failed to file accounts at Companies House as required. The Official Receiver has been appointed as the liquidator for both Affinity Technology Solutions Limited and RCSR Tech Limited.
David Usher, the Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, stated, “Numerous complaints were made that Affinity and RCSR were tricking consumers into monthly subscriptions for products they did not want or were entirely unaware of.” He added, “Indeed, from our investigations, it is not clear that either company provided any of the services to their unwitting customers. Both Affinity and RCSR completely failed to co-operate with our investigations, leaving us with no option but to take this robust action to stop the companies from trading in the future and protect the public from further financial harm.”
