What do I do about this CIFAS stuff?

Archangel

Hi,

I've previously stated that I got a credit report back from Equifax and that it contains 2 entries at my previous address in the CIFAS section. Both entries are recorded this year, I've not lived there for 2 years. Both classifications are "04 (99)". Also the DOB's of the person involved is 01/04/78 (not the same as mine).

So, what does this mean, exactly? What, if anything, do I do?

Thanks,
Luke.

charleysmummy25

Hi
Basically this means somebody who used to or lives in that address has been a victim of identity fraud or commited identity fraud, this happened to me.

Myself and my partner are not financially connected but do live in the same address ~( he owns the house) when he recently got his credit report it shows the cifas markings on there but with my name and the catorgary 02 (victim of impersantion) we were concerened about this and contacted eqifax who advises us that the warnings go on the credit files of anybody who has lived in that address in the last 6 years (the address used in the identity fraud) my boyfriend now finds that he gets "reffered" when applying for credit but he hsa near on perfect credit history, he always gets whatever it is he applies for but with a slight delay..

I dont know why they put it on the reports of every other occupant in the last 6 years but they just do- it also goes on the victims reports on every address in the last 6 years- for example im a victim of id fraud and it is on my report for my first address (mums) my 2nd (where the person lived after me who commited the id fraud) and this address my present one.

For a more detailed explanation i wold contact equifax who will explain it to you as they did to my fella.
Hope that helps a bit

take care

Swishter

Charleysmummy is bang on from what I know. Don't be concerned about this affecting your score though.

Generally it means that the company should take extra care to ensure that you are who you say you are because you are at risk of someone pretending to be you but a CIFAS mark does not mean you are a risk.

CIFAS is for your protection (oh and the CC companies not wanting to lose money through fraud), for example I once investigated a possible benefit fraud where the person stole the details of the guy that had lived there previously, turned out they were not defrauding benefits as such they were trying to get loans and not pay them back (as the money was stolen we didn't count it as they had to give it back ). A CIFAS marker went on the genuine guys credit file to make sure that any future lender made sure they had the right person.