I think my daughter has a CIFAS marker?

NewLeaf1986

Ed-1 said:

sparklep0ny said:

Ed-1 said:

colsten said:

Sandtree said:

Your daughter is 19 so can do a SAR request as suggested or alternatively could sign up to one of the several free options to view her credit file that are available which also normally highlight CIFAS marks.

Credit Reference files will not show all CIFAS markers, and will also not show who placed the markers, and when

To be clear, all CIFAS markers will show on credit files to the companies checking them, but only victim ones to the consumer. It's important to realise this and it also makes it easier for companies to discover CIFAS markers as many get a monthly feed from credit reference agencies, unlike other fraud prevention markets such as National Hunter and SIRA which can only be checkedoof an application is made to that company.

One of the Ombudsman cases I read made the above clear when Experian made a consumer aware of a CIFAS marker on their credit file which wasn't visible to the consumer.

This is incorrect.  Companies get CIFAS data from CIFAS themselves.  The principle of reciprocity would be entirely useless if data was being shared via the CRA's.

They are shared via CRAs but only to CIFAS members

The below is from FOS case DRN8167626

I recently found out I have been "awarded" a CIFAS marker too, for having missed a previous address off an application years ago. It was an unstable time for me and I moved a lot. I'm not saying I'm not responsible for the omission, but it is easy sometimes to make a mistake that is considered fraud.

The marker drops mid January, so I don't have long to go.

This has caused several financial institutions to immediately close facilities they granted me.

Nationwide however were willing to provide me with a FlexBasic current account which I have had for a year now and am quite happy with. Zopa also gave me a credit card last October. Three were also happy to provide me a mobile contract.

Most financial institutions will refuse to do business with anyone who has a CIFAS marker but depending on the category of the marker, they may simply look into the application in more detail / ask for supporting evidence.

Your daughter probably has a "First party fraud" marker which will stand in her way until the six years is up.

 Check CIFAS directly to be sure. 

jackywacky

Thank you all for your comments. 

Stuart_W

Only possible thing to add might be that if Pockit is working out expensive based on her usage, a Cashplus Current Account might work better, for a higher monthly fee you'd get free direct debits and cash withdrawals. As long as identity can be proved they will offer an account. Still expensive compared to a normal current account of course, but an available option in this situation.

jackywacky

It's been a while but I'd like to revive this thread.
As a recap when my daughter is now 21 but when she was 17 she allowed herself to be a money mule and consequently her account was closed and found herself on the CIFAS register. 
I believe the marker is for 6 years meaning she has just over 2 more years to serve.
In the mean time she's been trying to manage with a Pockit card but the limit on the amount of transaction in a 30 day is causing a problem.

My question is if she applies for a Cashplus or a similar account and she is refused will the refusal affect the CIFAS marker, could it extend the 6 year period?

eskbanker

jackywacky said:

My question is if she applies for a Cashplus or a similar account and she is refused will the refusal affect the CIFAS marker, could it extend the 6 year period?

No, (non-fraudulent) application rejection doesn't get reported to CIFAS or affect it.

jackywacky

eskbanker said:

No, (non-fraudulent) application rejection doesn't get reported to CIFAS or affect it.

Thank you for the prompt reply.
Sorry for being a bit thick but just to make sure I've got this right.
If she makes a genuine application to any bank, they may see the CIFAS marker and reject it, but they won't report back to CIFAS?

MattMattMattUK

jackywacky said:

eskbanker said:

No, (non-fraudulent) application rejection doesn't get reported to CIFAS or affect it.

Thank you for the prompt reply.
Sorry for being a bit thick but just to make sure I've got this right.
If she makes a genuine application to any bank, they may see the CIFAS marker and reject it, but they won't report back to CIFAS?

Correct, they would only report fraud back to CIFAS. However there is little point applying as they will all say no, what is more they will keep a record of declining her which might have an impact when her CIFAS marker is clear and she is able to open accounts again.

jackywacky

So the bank she applies to may keep a record of the declined application. But how will other banks get to know that?

MattMattMattUK

jackywacky said:

So the bank she applies to may keep a record of the declined application. But how will other banks get to know that?

They may or they may not, but it will probably be visible, at least in the short term on her credit report. There is no point in applying as she will not be granted an account whilst the CIFAS marker is in place, so the best thing to do is to not apply and potentially cause additional problems.

eskbanker

jackywacky said:

So the bank she applies to may keep a record of the declined application. But how will other banks get to know that?

Just to amplify on the above reply, declined applications themselves aren't directly visible to other institutions as such, but hard credit searches will be, so any institution conducting such checks as part of their account opening procedures (as most do) will leave a footprint on the credit file.  For those with a solid credit history, a few searches are unlikely to influence lender behaviour, but those aiming to rebuild a patchy history will typically not want more searches than absolutely necessary, so making applications that are likely to be refused is probably counterproductive....