CIFAS Markers removal time frame??

Nic2014

Hi guys


Not 100% sure if I have a CIFAS marker however sent a SAR away today.


The reason I have done so is I have just been declined car finance and before that a second bank account which was only basic.


Now I have no late payments at all, on electoral register not using too much available credit etc. So seems very strange to me indeed.


The Cifas section on my credit reports says their is nothing, however I have been advised from reading online it doesn't always show up. So to rule this out I am going to do a SAR.


But does anyone know how long CIFAS stays on your credit file if this is the case ? online says 13 months other pages say 6 years.


So if anyone knows would be great thanks!!

Nic2014

Anyone know ??

paragon909

CIFAS is a fraud prevention scheme, So i would be querying why they would put such marker against your name in the first place, never mind how long it stays.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CIFAS

https://equifaxuk.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/237/~/tell-me-more-about-cifas-and-fraud-protection.

Nic2014

That's exactly why I am doing a SAR, I have no idea why I would have any markers. But I can't see any other reason for being declined so that's why I am ruling this out!

I had only asked if anyone on here would have been able to answer my question !

Archi_Bald

Nic2014 wrote: »

Now I have no late payments at all, on electoral register not using too much available credit etc.

You may think you do not have too much available credit but banks might have a different view.

andyf777

I have had confirmation from cifas and the lender that placed mine that they stay for 6 years unfortunaely.

I am half way through my 'sentence' and like you, cannot get a single thing on credit... Or a basic bank account

Ed-1

andyf777 wrote: »

I have had confirmation from cifas and the lender that placed mine that they stay for 6 years unfortunaely.

I am half way through my 'sentence' and like you, cannot get a single thing on credit... Or a basic bank account

Which lender placed a CIFAS marker against you? And what for?

With regards to how long the CIFAS warnings stay on the database for, the default is 6 years (i.e. if the lender hasn't removed it before that then the entry will be deleted after 6 years), however they are only meant to stay on while there is still evidence of the fraud continuing. The lender has discretion to remove it.

paragon909

andyf777 wrote: »

I have had confirmation from cifas and the lender that placed mine that they stay for 6 years unfortunaely.

I am half way through my 'sentence' and like you, cannot get a single thing on credit... Or a basic bank account

You do realise cifas is anti fraud agency.

No finance company would would this against you, If you got sued you would get a CCJ,

So you must have done something really bad to get this type of marker....

Ed-1

paragon909 wrote: »

You do realise cifas is anti fraud agency.

No finance company would would this against you, If you got sued you would get a CCJ,

So you must have done something really bad to get this type of marker....

If only that were true. The big banks have been known to place unjustified CIFAS markers on you for as little as transferring your own money between your own current accounts (such is the paranoia of some minds in fraud departments). Lloyds is especially culpable for this. There are plenty of stories of totally innocent people getting CIFAS markers from banks:

http://www.theyworkforyou.com/whall/?id=2011-11-15a.241.0

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/saving/article-2246643/I-branded-criminal-How-targeted-fraudster-unscrupulous-banks.html

starM

andyf777 wrote: »

I have had confirmation from cifas and the lender that placed mine that they stay for 6 years unfortunaely.

I am half way through my 'sentence' and like you, cannot get a single thing on credit... Or a basic bank account

If you know you have done something wrong example provided incorrect information to obtain credit. Best will be to write a polite letter to the bank explaining your circumstances and asking them to remove it especially if it was registered 3 years ago.

As Ed-1 said they should stay on file if there is still evidence of the fraud continuing. If this is published somewhere e.g on CIFAS website then make a note of this in your letter.

Out of interest which bank has put CIFAS on? My wife had a CIFAS registered from N&P because an error on date of birth during application. I am not sure how that happened. My wife has excellent credit record and they can see on every application/credit account showing on CRA shows her correct DOB. Without asking any evidence or possible telephone call asking to confirm DOB they just decided to register CIFAS. It then taken afew months via complaints etc but at the end they agreed to remove it.