Getting a mortgage with marker on fraud database.

Col_Buch

I’m wondering if anyone can help… At the beginning of last year (2021) I began the process of buying a house through who I thought was a broker, recommended by a couple of friends- who have both used and completed through. At first I didn’t think much of what was going on, he got me a DIP with Nationwide but then further down the line said we were progressing with Leeds Building Society. He explained they had better rates. After several requests from Leeds, for many additional documents they eventually said I didn’t meet their requirements to lend and couldn’t provide any more information. My ‘broker’ didn’t seem phased, even though I was confused and just said we’d go with a different lender. This he did, and the same process happened apart from I got a DIP but it never progressed on full app and was just closed down. 

I eventually decided to go through a different broker, who queried many things and at the time I thought was being quite insulting with the things he was asking. Anyway, I had to stop the process as the vendor put the house on the marker as it was taking far too long. 

I began to do some digging as to why I was facing such difficulty, as I’ve got great credit, no missed payments, defaults etc, and payments made on time. To my complete shock, I have inconsistencies and refer markers placed by my name on SIRA and National Hunter, which is obviously the reason why I’m faced with issues in the background. I wasn’t aware of these organisations and more importantly I wasn’t aware of the applications that have been done on there- many lenders were applied to some more than once. I have written to the organisations, putting in a data subject access request in to see why. I also haven’t and won’t be making any applications for at least the next 6 months, that will be 9/10 months from the last one. 

Many main reason for this post is to ask has anyone got any experience with these markers, have you managed to get them removed and if not have you managed to source a mortgage with them there? 

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, I feel so stupid for not researching the original broker but as he came recommended didn’t think much of it. FYI the original broker has gone AWOL. 

Thanks. 

Sistergold

Are you saying original broker committed fraud using your details or is it that these markers came about because of too many applications done on your behalf in trying to get the mortgage originally? 

eddddy

The NH database will contain information that you put in your applications.

For example,

• it might show that you applied for something (e.g. a credit card, loan, mortgage) on 1st October and you said your salary was £30k

• Then you applied for something else (from a different company) on 10th October and said your salary was £50k

Your subject access request should list all the application info submitted by each company. If a company has submitted something that's incorrect (e.g. you didn't really say that your salary was £50k), you can contact the company and ask them to correct the info they sent to NH.


So it's really a case of waiting to see what the Subjact Access Request shows up - then working out the best way to get any incorrect info corrected. 

Hodge58

Firstly check your broker is on the FCA data base as a registered broker.
Yes you can get them removed if you can show that you did not authorise them. PM me if you want me to check for you with brokers name and whereabouts in uk

Hodge58

I expect the second broker was digging as he could see the problem.

Col_Buch

Hi, thanks for your reply's. 

I really don’t know whether the broker or so called broker has committed the fraud, by putting incorrect details in. I’ve put in DSAR’s with all lenders that have put a marker against my name, to see exactly what was in the applications. It’s the standard wait and see on that one 30 days to respond. 

I’m presuming it is going to be something to with the first broker, as like I said in my original post there’s applications listed that I didn’t even know he’d done. Santander being one of them and there was three applications done to nationwide, this I can’t understand. 

I can’t trace him anywhere, the contact details I had- telephone number and email address are no longer in use. I didn’t go to the office due to covid restrictions, everything was done via email or phone. The name he gave is not listed on the FCA, so it isn’t looking great is it. I never thought to even do checks on him, I didn’t when I went for my first mortgage in 2018 with an ex partner we just went with a recommendation and so I did the same this time. 

I’m just unsure what I can do to rectify the situation if say it does come back, with wrong information on applications. Will I just have to take the fall and not be able to get a mortgage for the foreseeable? I’m not sure how these markers actually affect you, is it just mortgages or will I not be able to upgrade my car either? 

The second broker was lovely, he seemed to be able to secure me a mortgage offer with accord if I supplied x/y/ z documents- they asked for so much, but I was happy to do it if it meant getting an offer. The house fell through (vendor pulled it) as it was going on over 6 months without an offer, so the whole mortgage was cancelled down as no house to offer on. I’ve contacted the second broker also, as accord have listed my application with “inconsistencies” on one of the databases, so even this has baffled me. Would that mean inconsistencies compared to the older applications? If so the first broker has definitely put incorrect information in… 

Sorry, I’m in such a tizz I just wanted to secure some foundation for me and my daughter, so I’m super stressed out with it all. 

Riva69

If you have a look online at some of the financial ombudsman decisions they give cases similar to what you have described so could really be worth having a look to see what you could be dealing with. If someone has done this without your consent, I would expect it won’t be too difficult to prove as the ombudsman service look very thorough when the do their investigation.

It looks like you have done the right thing by getting all your DSARS from the agencies though and awaiting the ones from the bank too. 

Could I ask which lender recorded the markers with what agencies, ie did nationwide and leeds, Santander etc post a refer on Synectics and national Hunter and also include Cifas markers too or did different lenders use different fraud agencies?

It’s not right that these markers can exist without it being common knowledge that these agencies even excise as that removes the right to challenge. And surely it should be like the CRA’s whereby banks etc have to inform you if you are about to default etc. Because if it was genuine fraud and there was evidence of that then surely it would be a criminal offence which would mean a fair trial.

Col_Buch

That gives me hope. I will await all the DSAR’s and go from there. 

Yes I totally agree, I didn’t even know about the other databases (Synetics Solutions and National Hunter). I will list below which lender listed where: 
Synetics Solutions (All have refer markers)
- Santander 
- Leeds Building Society
- HSBC 
- Nationwide 

There’s a couple of insurance companies that have listed on there too, I’m presuming this is where address cross referencing is done. 

National Hunter:
- RBS (Clear) 
- Leeds (Inconsistencies) 
- Santander (Inconsistencies) 
- Yorkshire Building Society - Accord (Inconsistencies) This one was completed through the second broker. 

I just find it baffling that all of someone’s private and personal data- bank details, employment, addresses etc etc can be passed on without your knowledge. I’m guessing there’s some small print, that you sign a declaration somewhere for them to share during the process. 

Col_Buch

Forgot to add, there are no CIFAS markers just the Synetics Solutions and National Hunter 🙃

Thrugelmir

Col_Buch said:

I just find it baffling that all of someone’s private and personal data- bank details, employment, addresses etc etc can be passed on without your knowledge. I’m guessing there’s some small print, that you sign a declaration somewhere for them to share during the process. 

National Hunter is operated by Experian on behalf of all the UK's major lenders. Fraud costs the financial industry considerable of money. Sharing data is a cost effective way of blocking attempts to circumnavigate each lenders own systems in it's tracks. Thereby reducing losses. Every application form you sign includes a comprehensive declaration and terms that you agree to. Most importantly you agree to be truthfull. Financial relationships depend on trust. No trust no relationship. 

Col_Buch

Thrugelmir said:

Col_Buch said:

I just find it baffling that all of someone’s private and personal data- bank details, employment, addresses etc etc can be passed on without your knowledge. I’m guessing there’s some small print, that you sign a declaration somewhere for them to share during the process. 

National Hunter is operated by Experian on behalf of all the UK's major lenders. Fraud costs the financial industry considerable of money. Sharing data is a cost effective way of blocking attempts to circumnavigate each lenders own systems in it's tracks. Thereby reducing losses. Every application form you sign includes a comprehensive declaration and terms that you agree to. Most importantly you agree to be truthfull. Financial relationships depend on trust. No trust no relationship. 

I don’t quite understand this response. Information I provided was truthful, I’m trying to establish if it has been changed by the first broker I used.