Bank Account

SharronE

Topic no longer relevant.

JuicyJesus

No. Cifas protective registration, which is what the bank have put in place, isn't a mark against you; it is a warning to anyone who receives an application in your name that you have been a victim of fraud and to treat any such application with a bit more scrutiny. Your existing accounts will not be closed, and while your current banks might find out about it shouldn't affect anything.

You will find that if you apply for anything applications may take slightly longer and you may be asked for ID. This is quite understandable as you have been a confirmed victim of fraud, and as such getting the registration removed would be batty. The marker is intended to help you, not hinder you.

I read about Cifas, and application fraud, and on one of my current accounts (not the credit card offering one), I have stated a savings figure, that is unlikely to be deposited into the account. Will they check if I deposit this amount, and if I don't, then place a Cifas application fraud marker?

It's unlikely, however to be completely on the safe side don't lie on applications because if it's ever picked up it does indeed open you up to the bad Cifas markers.

eskbanker

JuicyJesus wrote: »

to be completely on the safe side don't lie on applications because if it's ever picked up it does indeed open you up to the bad Cifas markers.

Sound advice of course, not least because as well as the savings issue you were referring to, OP also admitted that "I tried to open a bank account with this bank, was refused the account and reapplied with a higher income", which would appear on the face of it to be pretty dodgy territory....

grumbler

SharronE wrote: »

...Earlier this week, I tried to open a bank account with this bank, was refused the account and reapplied with a higher income.

Such inconsistencies in figures can be spotted and reported to fraud prevention agencies.

Should I ask the bank to remove the warning?

Even if you ask, they may and are likely to refuse.

JuicyJesus wrote: »

No. Cifas protective registration, which is what the bank have put in place, isn't a mark against you;

To be pedantic, 'protective registration' is what a customer can apply for to CIFAS.

A 'warning' placed by a bank is called 'Victim of impersonation' (IIRC).

JuicyJesus

eskbanker wrote: »

Sound advice of course, not least because as well as the savings issue you were referring to, OP also admitted that "I tried to open a bank account with this bank, was refused the account and reapplied with a higher income", which would appear on the face of it to be pretty dodgy territory....

I didn't spot that!

Yeah, if National Hunter picks that up OP is in for a world of hurt.

Thrugelmir

SharronE wrote: »

Earlier this week, I tried to open a bank account with this bank, was refused the account and reapplied with a higher income.

Seems as if the bank couldn't believe that anyone would as stupid to attempt this. Asking for the marker to be removed would amount to an admission of guilt.

SharronE

Since I was unemployed, and between the initial application and the reapplication was offered a job, the details provided, including the employers address were accurate.

Would the bank itself, or an agency be comparing the figures.

grumbler

I think some figures can be reported to agencies by various companies, and the agency (their computer) can spot the big discrepancies.

JuicyJesus

SharronE wrote: »

Would the bank itself, or an agency be comparing the figures.

Either or both. There is a system called National Hunter which records details about you that you've given on applications. If you apply for something with wildly different details and the bank checks it against Hunter it will come back with a response that roughly means "hmm... better check this". This could lead to an investigation or you being asked to substantiate your figures, and potentially a fraud marker if severe/stupid enough.

Alternatively, if you say made an application to a bank with £0 annual pay, got declined and then a couple of days later this magically jumped to £30,000 on an application to the same bank, they can/will compare the details and then, again; investigation, substantiation, possible fraud marker.

If it's the case that you did just get offered a job in between the two applications, you should be able to prove this in the event of a query.

agrinnall

SharronE wrote: »

Since I was unemployed, and between the initial application and the reapplication was offered a job, the details provided, including the employers address were accurate.

Not accurate at all, they ask you for your actual income, not your hoped for income. Providing the latter figure could be regarded as a fraudulent application.

JuicyJesus

agrinnall wrote: »

Not accurate at all, they ask you for your actual income, not your hoped for income. Providing the latter figure could be regarded as a fraudulent application.

If someone had got an offer of a job and accepted that offer I'd personally see no issue in them declaring their income at that level so long as they also disclosed the employer's name and start date etc honestly. One of the banks I've been with has accepted figures on this basis (over the phone, with me specifically asking if it's acceptable).

Frankly, a fraud department doesn't care about catching people out to that level. They are more interested in someone with a £15k income saying they have £50k than someone who's just been offered a £25k job, is waiting to start and has declared that as their income. The former involves deception, the latter doesn't. What matters is the applicant's honesty.