Learn more about CIFAS and Fraud Protection
- What is CIFAS information?
- Who can see CIFAS information?
- Why has CIFAS information been removed from my File?
- How long will CIFAS information stay on my credit file?
- How does CIFAS information affect my Credit Rating?
- Where does CIFAS information come from?
- How do I complain about a CIFAS warning?
- What is CIFAS Protective Registration?
What is CIFAS information?
CIFAS - the UK's Fraud Prevention Service aims to detect and prevent fraud, in order to protect innocent people whose names, addresses, or other details, are used fraudulently by others in order to get financial or other benefits. CIFAS member organisations include many types of financial service organisations such as banks, building societies, insurance companies, finance houses, mail order and telecommunication companies. All member organisations share details of applications for products or services, which are believed to be fraudulent. More information about CIFAS is available at www.cifas.org.uk
Impersonation
Identified on a credit file as "Category 2: Victim of Impersonation" - Use, by another person, of this name and personal details.
When a CIFAS member organisation identifies a fraud where an innocent party has been impersonated, a warning with the details of the innocent individual linked to the application or facility is placed on the CIFAS database. Any CIFAS member organisation subsequently conducting a search of the database using those details will see the CIFAS warning 'CIFAS - Do Not Reject - Validation Required'. This reminds the CIFAS Member (e.g. the lender or service provider) that extra precautions must be taken before approving a new application for a financial product or service, or closing an existing account. The extra checks are to ensure that the applicant/application/account holder is genuine, thus protecting the individual from further fraud.
CIFAS Protective Registration
Identified on a file as "Category 0: Protective Registration" - Recorded at the request of the person named.
If you have had personal identification documents stolen, or if your personal details have been compromised as a result of a data breach, there is a risk that they could be used by the fraudster (or the thief) to obtain credit or other products/services fraudulently in your name. Protective Registration is a service offered by CIFAS - The UK's Fraud Prevention Service - that helps to protect those whose identity is at risk due to crime. When you request CIFAS Protective Registration, a CIFAS warning with your name and personal details is placed on the CIFAS fraud prevention database indicating that you have been recorded at your own request.
Any CIFAS member organisation subsequently conducting a search of the database using details you have registered will see the CIFAS warning 'CIFAS - Do Not Reject - Validation Required'. This reminds the CIFAS Member (e.g. the lender or service provider) that extra precautions must be taken before approving a new application for a financial product or service, or closing an existing account. The extra checks are to ensure that the application comes from you, thus preventing a fraudster from impersonating you to obtain money or services in your name. Full details of the CIFAS Protective Registration service for individuals can be accessed at www.cifas.org.uk
Who can see CIFAS information?
This is visible to any CIFAS member who conducts a search at that address where the CIFAS entry is located.
A CIFAS member will not necessarily make you aware that they are placing a CIFAS entry at your address. CIFAS take great care to strike the right balance between the need for confidentiality and the need to be open about fraud prevention.
To maximise the likelihood of successful apprehension and prosecution of offenders, individuals are not advised of CIFAS entries in the majority of cases. However, in the event of an impersonation, the CIFAS member will always advise the innocent party, if they have a current address for the innocent party and are sure that the fraudster will not be alerted.
Further information on CIFAS can be found here
Why has CIFAS information been removed from my File?
Equifax, in consultation with CIFAS, has changed the way CIFAS information is displayed on your Credit Report. Your Equifax Credit Report will now only display CIFAS registered in your name at your current and previous addresses. The CIFAS warnings that might appear on your Credit Report will relate to Impersonation or Protective Registration registered in your name.
Further information on CIFAS can be found here.
How long will CIFAS information stay on my credit file?
The time a CIFAS warning remains on your credit file depends on how long the fraudulent activity continues. In all cases, the warning remains on the database for at least a year from the date of the most recent fraud.
Protective Registration, which is added by an individual to their address to prevent misuse of their personal details, will remain at an address as long as the individual continues to subscribe to the service.
Further information on CIFAS can be found here.
How does CIFAS information affect my Credit Rating?
No CIFAS member will automatically refuse to supply a product or service to you because of a CIFAS warning. The member is required to make further enquiries, e.g. confirming your identity, before making a decision.
However, your application will still be subject to the member's standard credit checks or underwriting criteria and you may not meet them.
If you have any queries regarding a CIFAS entry we would suggest that you write to the company who registered the entry, requesting that they provide you with details of the resolution scheme.
Further information on CIFAS can be found at www.cifas.org.uk
Where does CIFAS information come from?
CIFAS - the UK's Fraud Prevention Service aims to detect and prevent fraud, in order to protect innocent people whose names, addresses, or other details, are used fraudulently by others in order to get financial or other benefits. CIFAS member organisations include many types of financial service organisations such as banks, building societies, insurance companies, finance houses, mail order and telecommunication companies. All member organisations share details of applications for products or services, which are believed to be fraudulent. More information about CIFAS is available at www.cifas.org.uk
Impersonation
Identified on a credit file as "Category 2: Victim of Impersonation" - Use, by another person, of this name and personal details
When a CIFAS member organisation identifies a fraud where an innocent party has been impersonated, a warning with the details of the innocent individual linked to the application or facility is placed on the CIFAS database. Any CIFAS member organisation subsequently conducting a search of the database using those details will see the CIFAS warning 'CIFAS - Do Not Reject - Validation Required'. This reminds the CIFAS Member (e.g. the lender or service provider) that extra precautions must be taken before approving a new application for a financial product or service, or closing an existing account. The extra checks are to ensure that the applicant/application/account holder is genuine, thus protecting the individual from further fraud.
CIFAS Protective Registration
Identified on a file as "Category 0: Protective Registration" - Recorded at the request of the person named.
If you have had personal identification documents stolen, or if your personal details have been compromised as a result of a data breach, there is a risk that they could be used by the fraudster (or the thief) to obtain credit or other products/services fraudulently in your name. Protective Registration is a service offered by CIFAS - The UK's Fraud Prevention Service - that helps to protect those whose identity is at risk due to crime. When you request CIFAS Protective Registration, a CIFAS warning with your name and personal details is placed on the CIFAS fraud prevention database indicating that you have been recorded at your own request.
Any CIFAS member organisation subsequently conducting a search of the database using details you have registered will see the CIFAS warning 'CIFAS - Do Not Reject - Validation Required'. This reminds the CIFAS Member (e.g. the lender or service provider) that extra precautions must be taken before approving a new application for a financial product or service, or closing an existing account. The extra checks are to ensure that the application comes from you, thus preventing a fraudster from impersonating you to obtain money or services in your name. Full details of the CIFAS Protective Registration service for individuals can be accessed at www.cifas.org.uk
How do I complain about a CIFAS warning?
In the first instance you should write to the CIFAS Member who dealt with your application/proposal/claim or account/policy/service. CIFAS Members operate their own internal complaints procedures and can either send you details of the procedure or advise you what to do.
If you and the CIFAS Member are unable to reach an agreement on your complaint, you may ask CIFAS to investigate your complaint. For full details of the CIFAS complaints procedure please write to CIFAS and request a copy of the complaints procedure or see the CIFAS website www.cifas.org.uk or write to CIFAS and request a copy of the complaints procedure.
CIFAS Compliance Officer
CIFAS
6th Floor, Lynton House
7-12 Tavistock Square
London
WC1H 9LT
Please Note:
If you believe that you are being impersonated and someone has opened an account in your name, you should contact the organisation concerned and make it aware that the application or account was not originated by you. If the organisation is a CIFAS member and they confirm an identity fraud, they will ensure that any CIFAS warning is clearly marked to show that you have been the victim of impersonation.
If you are dealing with an organisation that is not a member of CIFAS, and you believe that you are being impersonated, then CIFAS offers Protective Registration to help protect those whose identity is at risk due to crime.
What is CIFAS Protective Registration?
If you have been the victim of a mugging or burglary and personal identification documents have been stolen, there is a risk they could be used by the thief to obtain credit or other products and services fraudulently in your name. For an annual administration fee, CIFAS offers a service known as Protective Registration, to protect your name and address from being misused in this way.
If you wish additional information on Protective Registration please contact CIFAS at:
CIFAS Protective Registration
Capital House
e-state
Bankhead Crossway South
Edinburgh
EH11 4EP
Alternatively you can telephone on 0330 100 0180 (Mon-Fri 8am-8pm, 10am-1pm Sat) or send an email to: protective.registration@cifas.org.uk