CIFAS markers indicate the placement of a fraud marker against an individual’s name. They can prevent applications for mortgages, credit, or even smaller services like phone contracts.
In extreme cases, they can lead to the closure of an existing bank account. CIFAS markers can last up to 6 years, but the good news is that sometimes they can be removed. Luckily, you can accomplish most of these steps without a solicitor.
An update on our CIFAS marker removal services
Once a CIFAS marker has been placed against you, it is highly unlikely that you will be successful in removing it without significant cost which can outweigh the amount of money frozen for individuals.
For this reason, our CIFAS marker removal services are only open to companies, company directors, partners or anyone whose business is at risk from a continued marker.
Please note that we cannot offer CIFAS marker removal services for persons without commercial interests.
What is CIFAS?
CIFAS stands for ‘Credit Industry Fraud Avoidance System‘. CIFAS is a not-for-profit fraud prevention organisation hosting a database that holds details of fraudulent activity across the UK.
Additionally, financial organisations that have a membership with CIFAS can access this information to reduce the risk of fraud and financial loss for both themselves and other CIFAS members.
What is a CIFAS marker?
CIFAS places markers against a customer’s credit report if an organisation, such as a loan or insurance company, suspects that you have engaged in fraudulent activity. Other services can then access this information to gain knowledge about you and the potential risks of lending to you.
CIFAS markers can become hugely problematic when businesses or their directors have a marker flagged under their names. In severe cases, finance organisations refuse loans, close accounts and members end up losing capital or even their jobs.
CIFAS marker types.
CIFAS prescribes 8 different types of markers for different types of fraud, lasting for various amounts of time:
- First-party fraud. When a customer hasn’t paid invoices for goods and has no intention of paying it. Lasts up to 6 years.
- Insurance claims fraud. Providing incorrect information when making an insurance claim. Lasts up to 6 years.
- Facility Takeover. When a bank account has been taken and used by someone else for unauthorised transactions. Remains for up to 6 years.
- Protective Registration. A marker that you request and pay directly to CIFAS if you believe you have been a victim of fraud. Lasts for 2 years.
- Victim of Impersonation. A marker filed for your protection by a lender if you have been a victim of identity fraud. Lasts up to 13 months.
- Application fraud. When an application is made for credit using a correct name, but false details have been provided. Lasts up to 6 years.
- Asset conversion. Issued when somebody has sold goods that have been hired, rented or leased, such as a hire car. Lasts up to 6 years.
- Misuse of facility. When someone gains control of another person’s account for the purpose of fraudulent activity. Lasts up to 6 years.
How to remove a CIFAS marker.
Though you may have suffered significant losses from the outcomes of a CIFAS maker, you can still attempt to have a marker removed. CIFAS markers can last up to 6 years and can ruin businesses, relationships and careers. Our solicitors have a proven track record of assisting clients in the removal of CIFAS markers. So, get in touch and we can help you.
However, if you are an individual with a CIFAS marker held against your name, you should take these initial steps:
Step 1. The first step in removing a CIFAS marker is to make a Direct Subject Access Request (DSAR) directly to CIFAS, which requests details of the marker held on their database.
Step 2. Contact the organisation that had your marker issued by CIFAS and request for them to have the marker removed.
Step 3. If they deny your request to have the marker removed, contact CIFAS and request a review, to which they must respond in 14 days.
Step 4. If your review still is not successful, we recommend that you get in touch with one of our specialist solicitors for legal assistance.
How do you get a CIFAS marker?
As discussed in the different types of markers, there are a multitude of reasons why CIFAS might put a marker next to your account. However, you might be most surprised about getting a CIFAS marker if you have been a victim of fraud. These types of markers are purely for your protection and can be easily removed with the correct guidance.
A CIFAS marker may only become known to you when you make an application for credit, such as a mortgage or insurance package.
What do CIFAS markers affect?
CIFAS markers are shared with other financial institutions, so they are likely to affect applications you make from any lender, such as a bank, loan company, insurer, or mortgage broker.
These are just a few ways that a CIFAS marker might affect you:
- One of the most common impacts is struggling to have credit applications accepted such as a mortgage, car insurance, an overdraft or a mobile phone contract.
- The bank declining your new account application.
- You may also struggle to get a student loan as you will need a bank account and the student loan company could be a CIFAS member.
- Financial institutions become aware of your marker and close your account.
- If you are employed in the financial sector, you may lose your job with a marker held against your name.
Does a CIFAS marker show on a criminal record?
CIFAS markers are purely suggestive of financial misconduct and are not recorded on any criminal record. It would only be likely to feature on a criminal record if you were facing prosecution for fraud.
Can employers become aware of a CIFAS marker?
This depends on the type of employer. If the company is a CIFAS member, they can request this data as a pre-employment screening check.
Our solicitors often deal with situations where employees have lost their jobs for having a CIFAS marker held against their name. If you have had a similar experience and need legal assistance, get in touch.
Other fraud databases.
Two other similar databases in the UK offer similar but more limited information about individuals.
Firstly, the National SIRA is regarded by many financial institutions as the default fraud detection and prevention solution association. Markers placed by National SIRA ‘clear’ or ‘refer’ your data, with the latter directing that the member requires further investigation.
National Hunter has the same clear/refer markers, also with ‘inconsistency’ and ‘suspicious’ markers to denote information supplied by organisations.
National SIRA and National Hunter markers can be removed in the same way as CIFAS markers, by challenging them directly.
We’re here to help.
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Comments
Wow, great information as always Britton and Time Solicitors!
I recently applied for a Mortgage with Yorkshire and was declined due to not being on the electoral roll.
A few weeks later I applied with Barclays, the broker that I used confused my details with another client and it also turns out he isn't FCA licensed. It has become known to me that he applied for these mortgages directly to the lender pretending to be me rather than as an intermediary, he edited my bank statements, tax returns and payslips to "guarantee" affordability. Obviously the lenders are not stupid, and I was added to Hunters.
I was wondering if this is something you can help with. I'm mainly trying to clear my name so I can sort out the mortgage I need through proper channels.
Thanks
Avi Edery
Hi there,
I have a CIFAS marker against my name, and I hoping to get some information on your services on getting it removed.
I will follow all the steps up until the point of instructing Britton , but I would like to hear the process from your point onwards before i begin.
Many thanks,
Nicky
Hey there, i was dealing with a client for content writing services. The total amount for which i worked for him was just 165£ and he was in just for money. After getting everything done he asked me to refund his money. On refusing he complained to the bank “Revolut” which we were using for transactions. At first the Revolut closed my account with them and next day i got an email fro my other bank that they closed my account and now no other bank is agreeinf on opening my account with them. I am new here in Uk i did not know much. So is there any remedy for me. As revolut is not considering my complaint.
Hello Ahmad, thank you for your comment and sorry to hear about the trouble you're having. Please call our client care team on 0203 007 5500 so they can discuss this matter with you further.
I have a CIFAS marker against my name, and I hoping to get some information on your services on getting it removed.
I will follow all the steps up until the point of instructing Britton , but I would like to hear the process from your point onwards before i begin.
Hello, I think I have a CIFAS Marker against my name as my Halifax Bank A/C has been closed, thiugh6a family friend used my account twice to get money from another friend in Canada and Another. Though I have made a request to CIFAS and I am looking at getting this issue sorted out in no time.
Hi, I have a CIFAS against my name, how do I contact you for your services on getting it removed please.
What is the difference between a marker and a search of CIFAS and why would someone search your CIFAS report?
Hi there I have a CIFAS marker on my name and was looking with help to getting it removed. Please contact me as I would like to know more of this process. Thank you
Hi, I had a cifa marker and it got removed but does this mean my name will be on other fraud data bases too? Or will my name have been cleared?
Hello Chelsey, thank you for your question. I would suggest contacting the databases that are mentioned in this blog post and asking them directly to see if they can help clarify. If you have any further questions, please feel free to call us on 020 3007 5500
My friend has had a CIFAS marker on her name since September 2017. When will it be removed as she is unable to open a high street bank account.
Hello Susan,
Thank you for your comment. It might be helpful if you send your friend this article as it outlines the steps of how to remove a CIFAS marker. If your friend has already tried the steps with no success, they can book a consultation with our solicitors who will be able to help her with her case.
If they would like to speak about their matter further our phone number is 020 3007 5500, and our email is [email protected]
Not all Cifas markers are bad.
Protective Registration is a cheap way of protecting you, the consumer, from the effects of Identity Theft and fraud. Recommended for everyone. It encourages the credit provider to double check that you are who you say you are.
Victim of impersonation marker is normally after an identity theft or an attempted fraud. Essential to stop further attempts at fraud.
Both are simple to remove
Hello Chris, thank you for sharing your input on our blog. We hope you found it to be a useful read.
I have only discovered a Cifas on my file, as I applied for a mortgage and was declined. Its been on my file since June 2021. I've contacted my bank, and they require proof, if not then they've suggested I contact the financial ombudsman. This seems like a lengthy process. I need help.
Hello Johnny,
Thank you for question. We offer CIFAS marker removal services to companies, company directors, partners or anyone whose business is at risk from a continued marker. If you match those requirements, please call us to book a consultation on 020 3007 5500.
Hi,
A friend of mine got a CIFAS marker against her name after she left the UK. Someone stole get phone and debit card while she was still in the UK and used them for fraudulent activities.
How will she go about the removal of the Cifas marker against her name since she's no longer in the UK? And she Wishes to travel abroad to study.
Hi Michael, thank you for your comment. Our client care team are going to reach out to discuss your friends matter further.
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