How doesCIFAS 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, a warning with the details of the individual linked to the application or facility is placed on the CIFAS database. The warning shows the name used but this does not necessarily mean the person named is involved in the fraud, as fraudsters tend to use a variety of names, some false and some genuine. The warning does not mean the individual has been blacklisted. Any CIFAS Member subsequently receiving that warning will see the phrase ‘CIFAS – Do Not Reject – Validation Required’. It reminds the Member that extra precautions should be taken to ensure that the application or facility that has prompted the check of the database is genuine and this protects the individual from further fraud.

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