CIFAS - CIFAS

What does CIFAS stand for?

CIFAS is a Fraud Prevention Service, covering the United Kingdom. It was created in 1988 by a group of retail credit companies ... Read more

What is CIFAS?

CIFAS is a system for preventing fraud. It allows member organisations to exchange details of applications for products or services which are confirmed to be fraudulent because the information provided by the applicant fails verification checks ... Read more

How does CIFAS work?

CIFAS information is processed by a number of participating fraud prevention agencies that provide CIFAS Members with fraud prevention services. When a CIFAS Member identifies a fraud ... Read more

How does CIFAS protect people?

CIFAS enables its Members to exchange details of applications for products, services or employment, which they have investigated and identified to be fraudulent. Members also share information about innocent victims of fraud to prevent their details being used again by the fraudster ... Read more

Who are the Members of CIFAS?

Most of the Member organisations within CIFAS are household names. All the major banks, building societies, mortgage lenders, retail credit suppliers ... Read more

Who runs CIFAS?

CIFAS has been set up as a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee. The company is managed by a board of directors ... Read more

What types of fraud does CIFAS deal with?

Organisations who are Members of CIFAS exchange details of applications for products or services that are confirmed to be fraudulent ... Read more

What are the fraud types CIFAS uses?

The CIFAS fraud types are as follows ... Read more

What proof do Members of CIFAS need to file details on CIFAS?

First, CIFAS information is provided only as a warning. The warning shows the name used on the account, product, facility, insurance policy or employment but this does not mean the person named is accused of fraud ... Read more

How can I get CIFAS to release any information it holds about me?

The Data Protection Act 1998 gives you the right to seek 'Subject Access' to a copy of any data held by CIFAS about you, in return for a statutory fee of up to £10.00 ... Read more

What is a Credit Reference Agency?

These are companies licensed to operate by the Office of Fair Trading under the Consumer Credit Act. They make credit information data available to ... Read more

What are my rights?

You have a right to request a copy of any information held about you under the Data Protection Act 1998 ... Read more

I have just noticed 'Victim of Impersonation - CIFAS' on my credit file and I don't know what it means. Can you explain?

If you see 'Victim of Impersonation' recorded on your credit file, this is no cause for undue alarm. This warning will have been placed on your credit file by one of our Member organisations to protect your identity ... Read more

How can I complain if I think a CIFAS entry is incorrect?

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 ... Read more

Why wasn't I told that my details were being recorded on the CIFAS database?

Great care is taken by CIFAS to strike the right balance between the need for confidentiality and the need to be open about how we prevent fraud. In the past ... Read more

I've been impersonated. How can CIFAS help me?

If you are impersonated you should contact the organisation, so they are made aware that the application/proposal/claim or account/service did not originate from you. This will ensure any CIFAS warning placed against your name is clearly marked to show that you have been the victim of an impersonation fraud ... Read more

I am concerned that my late father's identity is being used by fraudsters to obtain goods and services. What can I do?

If you believe the identity of a deceased person may be used by a fraudster, a CIFAS Protective Registration may be placed by a relative or executor against the deceased person’s address. The service protects the identities registered ... Read more

What is credit scoring?

CIFAS information is not subject to any credit scoring system. Any application for an account, product facility, insurance policy or employment where CIFAS information is flagged is referred for validation if fraud is suspected ... Read more