CIFAS False Identity Marker

Tottington

Hi all

Asking on behalf of a relative, whilst I thought I knew my way around personal finance, CIFAS is pretty much unknown to me. 

My relative was a victim of identity fraud. During that time, applications for car insurance were made in his name, not sure if these were successful or if that is relevant here. 

They now want to apply for a mortgage, and with a fairly bad credit "score", made a SAR to CIFAS. It has come back with 2 markers, both placed by insurance companies. One is as a Victim of Impersonation, which will be held for 13 months (almost expired). The other is a False Identity Marker, to be held on file for 6 years. 

I can't see any definitive guidance on what the False Identity Marker actually means and does. All the sources I have found (such as the one below), outlines 8 different types of marker, none of which are the "False Identity Marker"

Can anyone help me understand what is going on here, and offer advice? My guess is that it is "bad", given it stays on record for 6 years, and all the other 6 year markers involve being the instigator of fraud in some way.

Thanks in advance  

A Guide To CIFAS Marker Removal: CIFAS Markers Explained - Setfords Solicitors

eskbanker

If the SAR data that CIFAS sent your relative isn't clear then he needs to go back to them seeking clarification.

What steps did he take to address the issue with the companies via whom the fraudulent applications were made?  CIFAS will only present what's been submitted to them by the financial institutions, so any corrective action will need to be carried out by these organisations....

MalMonroe

I was a victim of fraud and the CIFAS marker stayed on my report for 13 months. I was told by the organisation who had received false information about me that because I was a victim and not a perpetrator that was the maximum length of time it would be recorded. It still didn't seem fair though as I was an innocent party with a marker on my report.

Someone actually opened a credit card in my name but all the information including the PIN and actual card were in my name and delivered to me at my home. I didn't see the point of that particular fraudulent activity but then again, I could well have missed the point altogether. The credit card was duly cancelled but the marker remained on my file and I guess I'll never know who opened that account because the organisation were not allowed to tell me. Someone who has/had my personal details, though. It's quite scary.

porkisnotmeat

MalMonroe said:

I was a victim of fraud and the CIFAS marker stayed on my report for 13 months. I was told by the organisation who had received false information about me that because I was a victim and not a perpetrator that was the maximum length of time it would be recorded. It still didn't seem fair though as I was an innocent party with a marker on my report.

Someone actually opened a credit card in my name but all the information including the PIN and actual card were in my name and delivered to me at my home. I didn't see the point of that particular fraudulent activity but then again, I could well have missed the point altogether. The credit card was duly cancelled but the marker remained on my file and I guess I'll never know who opened that account because the organisation were not allowed to tell me. Someone who has/had my personal details, though. It's quite scary.

None of this is at all relevant though because the OP's relative has both a victim and a perpetrator marker.

The purpose of victim markers is to protect both the victim and financial organisations by making them aware that someone has their details, so applications are given a higher level of scrutiny. It's not a punishment, and certainly is "fair."