CIFAS Marker - Victim of Impersonation

Charlie1985

Hi,
Looking for some advice. I have always had a good credit score and monitor it very closely. Last month I noticed my score had dropped significantly as a new hard search was added by the Halifax. Note I have never banked with the Halifax so was surprised to see this on my file. I disputed this with Equifax and also contacted Halifax to report this. Turns out there was a fraudulent personal loan application made in my name. Luckily the checks failed and no account was opened.

After raising my concerns and dispute the Halifax agreed to get this hard search removed from my file. However when I now check my report I see a CIFAS - Victim of Impersonation marker on my file. The Halifax have advised this is for my own protection however I have some questions:

1. How can I get this CIFAS marker removed? - I have contacted Halifax they keep saying they have an obligation to report this and cannot do anything.

2. I plan to apply for a mortgage in a few months and understand this marker will most likely decline my application. Has anyone had any experience of the impact this marker has on future credit applications.

3. Can I force Halifax to remove the CIFAS as I do not bank with them and feel it’s very unfair?

Halifax advised it should not stop me getting credit but rather extra checks would need to be done which could make the process longer. However looking online many forums say often this marker will decline applications and staff usually will just decline my application when they see CIFAS. I really don’t want any extra hassle with future credit applications especially as none of this is my fault. Any advice on how I can remove this marker would be highly appreciated.

Many thanks
Charlie

[Deleted User]

You don't want to get it removed.

It's there for your protection and won't have any negative impact on your mortgage application.

Meh123

I’m currently dealing with this and in the middle of a mortgage application myself. You really don’t want that marker removed, basically someone out there has enough of your personal data to attempt to open credit facilities in your name and for it to be linked to your credit file. With the marker underwriters know to be extra cautious, with you mortgage application they will have your passport, proof of address etc and be able to know it’s you.
when you apply use a broker, this way the lender will be made aware of the CIFAS marker, yes your app may be referred at AIP stage but that is better than these people continuing to attempt to get credit in your name and loads of hard searches being done.
hope that helps. 

csgohan4

I had a similar experience, the CIFAS usually remains for a few years and then goes, certainly did after 5 years. Only inconvenience is banks will do more security checks when you do apply for credit, like mortgages, cards e.t.c So an extra step

MattMattMattUK

I got my mortgage a few years ago with the same CIFAS marker, it did not cause any problems because the mortgage process requires so much detail and ID anyway. The CIFAS markers you may have heard about are where the person who received them committed the fraud themselves, those people will have to wait a long time to get a mortgage, if ever, but there is a huge difference between being a victim and a perpetrator. 

dunstonh

1. How can I get this CIFAS marker removed? - I have contacted Halifax they keep saying they have an obligation to report this and cannot do anything.

Surely you want it to remain for a period?  It is there for your own protection. It will not affect your ability to get credit.

2. I plan to apply for a mortgage in a few months and understand this marker will most likely decline my application. Has anyone had any experience of the impact this marker has on future credit applications.

That is an incorrect assumption.  It is not a market that is negative to you. It is a warning marker to lenders to take more care than normal.

3. Can I force Halifax to remove the CIFAS as I do not bank with them and feel it’s very unfair?

No you cant and its not unfair.

However looking online many forums say often this marker will decline applications and staff usually will just decline my application when they see CIFAS

There are a range of CIFAS markers.  It isn't just one thing.

jrrrrj

I had exactly the same marker as you for an application with Halifax for a current account that I didn’t make. 

I was oblivious to the application until the wrote to me. They said in the letter the marker has been placed and would remain there for 12 (or maybe 18), months. I’ve recently had a SAR from CIFAS and the market, as promised, has automatically been removed.

during the time it was on my record. I didn’t notice a thing. I did apply for a credit card (and got it), with MBNA whilst this marker was in place. The application was referred and someone called me to check it was actually me. Once that was done, that was the end of it and my card arrived.

I am happy the marker was there. As other posters have said, it’s there to protect you. It’s not a black mark against your name. Think of it more like someone is trying to impersonate you and you don’t want that happening 😊 

Charlie1985

Thanks everyone for the advice. So I just called Halifax and they advised the CIFAS has 2 markers:

1. fraudulent information 
2. genuine information

They have advised they can remove part 2 but have a legal obligation for part 1 to remain. Is there anything I can do to remove this totally from my file?

To add I have just been declined my mobile phone upgrade with my provider of 10+ years and CIFAS is the only reasoning I can think as my credit file looks good otherwise. I just don’t want this to be a long line of inconveniences for the next 13 months. Anyone have any advise how I can not get something so little as a phone upgrade approved?

MWT

I had that marker on my file for a while, it had no impact on anything I was doing with regard to credit, just prompted a manual check here and there.

With regard to your phone upgrade I'd suggest you call your provider, you may just be dealing with poor programming on an automated system.

MattMattMattUK

Charlie1985 said:

Is there anything I can do to remove this totally from my file?

No.

Charlie1985 said:

To add I have just been declined my mobile phone upgrade with my provider of 10+ years and CIFAS is the only reasoning I can think as my credit file looks good otherwise. 

Mobile phone providers do not decline because of victim CIFAS markers, although sometimes they need to conduct extra checks, I had to phone the first time I tried to change contracts once the marker was on, but it was easily resolved, taking no more than about five minutes.

Charlie1985 said:

I just don’t want this to be a long line of inconveniences for the next 13 months. 

Unless you apply for credit on an almost daily basis, it will not be a long line of inconveniences, most of the time it will not make any difference, occasionally you might be asked a few questions. It would be far more inconvenient to have thousands, possibly tens of thousands of ID impersonation fraud against you, that takes months to clear off your file at the best of times. 

Charlie1985 said:

Anyone have any advise how I can not get something so little as a phone upgrade approved?

Call the phone provider and ask them, their automated systems will probably bounce the transaction the first time they deal with you after a CIFAS victim marker, but a quick call is all it takes to sort it.

Happybearblue

Hi everyone 

so recently discovered I have a ‘false identity’ marker on my cifas file. Initially I thought it was only the ‘victim of impersonation’ marker but after I done a DSAR, the victim of impersonation marker has gone but the false identity marker still shows. Has anybody else got this marker and does it stop you from obtaining bank accounts etc in the future? I haven’t done anything wrong so I would hope it doesn’t have a negative impact on me especially if the marker stays on for 6 years!!! I have contacted the company in question to see if they would remove it but still waiting for a response.

any advice/help would be appreciated.