"Victim of impersonation" CIFAS mark on credit file

cheekykid

I recently applied for 3 credit cards, all within a period of 2-3 days(mistake?) and the first one from Lloyds came through but for the other two (Capital One&Virgin) I got a letter saying that someone might be trying to impersonate me etc. I did call to confirm that I was the one who made the applications. For Virgin, as per their request, I sent my ID and cc statement.

Coming forward a month later I check my Experian file and I see two CIFAS marks from both of them, Category 2.

As you can appreciate am furious. Do you know if by calling them that will suffice to get them removed or do I need to write them a letter threatening them with legal action for libel etc. ?

Lloyds is also a member of the Cifas group and it puzzles how come they didn't say anything. My guess is I did 3 applications too quickly and that must have raised some flags? or what is usually the reason for Cat 2 mark?

[Deleted User]

You can ask them to remove it.

But remember there is no libel, because they're not accusing you of anything - just the opposite in fact.

cheekykid

Deleted_User wrote: »

You can ask them to remove it.

But remember there is no libel, because they're not accusing you of anything - just the opposite in fact.

Well, they put something in my report which is not true. I take issue with that.

worried_jim

cheekykid wrote: »

Well, they put something in my report which is not true. I take issue with that.

No they haven't- they believe you have been a "victim" of identity fraud so have placed a Cat 2 marker on your credit file to alert other providers of this. This is to benefit you and to make it harder for this third party to defraud you. It wont stop you obtaining any credit facilities but may require another layer of security when applying for credit.

worried_jim

cheekykid wrote: »

Lloyds is also a member of the Cifas group and it puzzles how come they didn't say anything. My guess is I did 3 applications too quickly and that must have raised some flags? or what is usually the reason for Cat 2 mark?

They may have done additional checks to ensure it was you behind the scenes that you weren't aware of and were satisfied with these.

cheekykid

worried_jim wrote: »

They may have done additional checks to ensure it was you behind the scenes that you weren't aware of and were satisfied with these.

Then why put a CIFAS?

worried_jim wrote: »

No they haven't- they believe you have been a "victim" of identity fraud so have placed a Cat 2 marker on your credit file to alert other providers of this. This is to benefit you and to make it harder for this third party to defraud you. It wont stop you obtaining any credit facilities but may require another layer of security when applying for credit.

Well, what they believe is false and I could do without unnecessary marks on my profile that might make future applications time consuming.

Also what was their basis for that assessment? Am I entitled to know that? Could it be that I made 3 credit card applications close to each other?

worried_jim

cheekykid wrote: »

Then why put a CIFAS?



Well, what they believe is false and I could do without unnecessary marks on my profile that might make future applications time consuming.

Also what was their basis for that assessment? Am I entitled to know that?

No. You don't know what they know.

It isn't unnecessary.

cjv

I applied for 7 credit cards in about 1 hour last year, with the intention of getting the highest possible combined limits to do some balance transfers. I did not receive any CIFAS markers or problems with fraud detection etc.

Maybe there is something else going on which you are not aware of, be sure to check all 3 credit agencies reports paying careful attention to the search history and applications.

It could be something as simple as entering different details in the applications you made, but that is just a guess.

cheekykid

worried_jim wrote: »

No. You don't know what they know.

I know for sure that I did these two applications and no one else. This should suffice if I go the legal route to have these marks removed.

worried_jim

cheekykid wrote: »

I know for sure that I did these two applications and no one else. This should suffice if I go the legal router to have these marks removed.

Let us know how you get on.

cheekykid

Ok, called both parties. Capital One was easy. They handled the matter over the phone and said they will remove the Cifas and it should come off in a months time.

Virgin isn't having anything. They want me to send original ID + bill or have them certified.

I am NOT going to pay for certification for something which they have caused nor am going to send my original ID in. What if they lose it?
They say they aren't able to talk to me about this unless all this is done.
I spent one hour and 10 minutes on the phone with them, after being passed from one department to another numerous times. A complete joke of an experience.

I would like to ask if anyone here knows a valid threat of a legal case I can bring onto them for putting something on my file that isn't valid and any consequences that may arise from this CIFAS.