Victim of card cloning and refusing of bank accounts by First Direct

clowee

A few months ago I was a victim of card cloning, I bank with Natwest and although there was delay the matter was resolved.

I have recently tried to open an account with First Direct and my application has been declined. :mad:

First Direct will not tell me why all I know is that it's not my credit rating, as that is fine, I also have no loans, mortgage, credit card/store card debt etc and earn a good wage. I met the criteria for the account ie paying enough wages in etc, however they now say they have 'strict criteria' which I don't meet and wont inform me why.

Does anyone know what other personal information First Direct would have used to refuse me an account and whether being a victim of card cloning could have been the reason? If so is there anything I can do, as this seems very unfair and has lead me to be concerned about the personal information being shared which may be in breach of Data Protection.

Eydon

You say your credit rating is "fine". Is that what First Direct have told you? Have you checked with all three credit reference agencies?

It may be the lack of loans, credit/store cards etc that is working against you because without them you will have very little credit history. Have you ever had any forms of credit?

Equifax Plc
Credit File Advice Centre
PO Box 1140
Bradford
BD1 5US
https://www.equifax.co.uk

Call Credit Plc
Consumer Services Team
PO Box 491
Leeds
LS3 1WZ
https://www.callcredit.co.uk

Experian Ltd
Customer Support Centre
PO Box 8000
Nottingham
NG80 7WF
https://www.experian.co.uk

serbask

How about the National Hunter & CIFAS searches? These are the anti-fraud agencies. National Hunter spots anomolies and CIFAS lists kwown fraud. I have no idea how the card cloning could effect these, but there is more than a chance it has.

CIFAS is who you are supposed to speak to if you are the victim of fraud - maybe the info has been reorded wrongly?

never-in-doubt

serbask wrote: »

How about the National Hunter & CIFAS searches? These are the anti-fraud agencies. National Hunter spots anomolies and CIFAS lists kwown fraud. I have no idea how the card cloning could effect these, but there is more than a chance it has.

CIFAS is who you are supposed to speak to if you are the victim of fraud - maybe the info has been recorded wrongly?

CIFAS & N Hunter only affect applications made, not spending on account.

N Hunter is explained here: http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1612117

Also here: National Hunter query

CIFAS are not who you speak to in the event of fraud, you speak to them if you want to protective register yourself! Have a read at the bottom of this thread: Credit Reference Agencies

:beer: :beer: :beer:

Edit 29.09.2009 with serbasks comments in mind: CIFAS can only assist a consumer with protective registration and/or SAR requests. Any fraud markers are placed by the lender, therefore if your card has been cloned cifas would not know about it unless you went and added a protective marker.

never-in-doubt

clowee wrote: »

A few months ago I was a victim of card cloning, I bank with Natwest and although there was delay the matter was resolved.

I have recently tried to open an account with First Direct and my application has been declined. :mad:

First Direct will not tell me why all I know is that it's not my credit rating, as that is fine, I also have no loans, mortgage, credit card/store card debt etc and earn a good wage. I met the criteria for the account ie paying enough wages in etc, however they now say they have 'strict criteria' which I don't meet and wont inform me why.

Does anyone know what other personal information First Direct would have used to refuse me an account and whether being a victim of card cloning could have been the reason? If so is there anything I can do, as this seems very unfair and has lead me to be concerned about the personal information being shared which may be in breach of Data Protection.

First Direct, like all lenders do not have to give a specific reason but it must fall into one of 3 categories:

1. Failed Credit Score (i.e. you dont meet their criteria etc)
2. Adverse data obtained from CRA (i.e. defaults/ccj's etc)
3. Information obtained from CRA (i.e. too many searches/late payments/credit accounts etc)

I guess you failed the credit score which means they say little, i.e no real reason but you are not suitable for their product yet. That said, you have to be on the Electoral Register for most lenders to 'consider you' and therefore i'd check that as well - a link is also in the thread below to get added to the Electoral Register.

Credit Reference Agencies

Tha above will help understand CRA's.... :beer:

serbask

CIFAS are not who you speak to in the event of fraud, you speak to them if you want to protective register yourself! Have a read at the bottom of this thread: Credit Reference Agencies

Never-in-doubt, I quote from the Credit rating and score guide as written by Martin himeself .....

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/loans/credit-rating-credit-score


CIFAS: Lists confirmed past fraud

• How it operates. It is simply a record of known fraud, so if you're on there, in general, you should know about it. It's also the organisation to speak to if you think you've been a victim of ID fraud. Worryingly, any fraud committed at your address could appear on your CIFAS file, even if you did not commit the fraud.

never-in-doubt

serbask - thanks for pointing this out to me but you've read it in the wrong context. I applied that sentence in respect of the OP question which was about him being the victim of cloning, as such he couldn't report this to cifas as fraud, he can only report protective registration.

The banks/lenders issue cifas and fraud warnings, the consumer can only request protective registration. That is what I was specifically pointing out. I write guides about CRA's, N Hunter, CIFAS and have investigated them a little more than Martin has! I went and got cifas markers (deliberately) in order to fight the process and see how it all works.... find my thread, its funny! I got one from Lloyds & HBOS by lying about my wages / employer - yea it works, but its also easy to get them wiped which defeats the purpose of the system being in place!

James

Good Posting never-in-doubt.

Just the usual extra information on Protective Registration:

Protective Registration is primarily designed to protect CIFAS Members. Not all lenders are CIFAS members therefore someone signing up for Protective Registration should be aware that they may not be fully covered.

A more effective alternative can be found a www.freeidprotection.co.uk. This system puts the individual in control of their own protection against Application Fraud.