Post Office Savings Account & CIFAS

gizz_mo

Hi All
I recently applied for a post office online savings account - as their rate (1.4%) is now topping the top interest rate tables and as 1 of my other accounts is now paying a measly 0.5% I figured I would move the money to the newly opened post office account.
I was shocked to discover that my application for a post office savings account was declined. In the letter the post office states that they use Experian and CIFAS fraud prevention databases and based on this analysis they have declined my application. They enclose a leaflet explaining what CIFAS is and how to query what's on the report etc.
Alarmed by this I requested my information from Experian, Equifax and Call Credit - and on each of these reports there is a section wich lists any CIFAS alerts. They all stated there we no alerts on my name / address / account information etc.
The leaflet they enclosed states that a CIFAS member is not allowed to automatically refuse an application, but they should take steps to verify the identification of the applicant to ascertain of they are genuine. They have not attempted to do this at all - and have automatically rejected my application for a savings account.
Has anyone else had any similar issues? My first thought was "sod them" if they don't want my money I will find someone who does - but it is worrying that this might come up maybe when I am applying for credit or a mortgage - and I wouldn't want incorrect information to adversely affect my applications at what might be a crucial time.
But of the 3 credit agencies used by CIFAS are not flagging any alerts - what steps should I take next?
Thanks for any advice in advance.

Rollinghome

I'd assume it's not a common problem or I'd expect to see other complaints about it here.

I think I'd start by telling them what you've learned from those credit check agencies and asking them to confirm they've checked the correct file.

Many moons ago, aged 17, I was stopped for speeding then, instead of getting the standard fine as I expected, got a court summons. In court, they read out a long list of of previous convictions I'd supposedly collected, including several for driving whilst banned. My mouth dropped because none of it was true.

I produced my clean licence and they accepted I was someone else. It seems that solely on the basis of a similar name they'd I assumed I was the same villainous Mr Rollinghome who lived 70 miles away. Daffy mistakes happen.

Good luck, hope you get it sorted without too much hassle.