CIFAS Marker obtained for fraud but it wasn't my fault.

SilentAvantgarde551

Beginning in February of 2021, my account was used, without my consent. The person who used it had gotten access to my santander account, and clearly used it for fraudulent reasons. I have no intention on denying it. At the time, the person who had committed the fraud (a extremely close relative) was living with me, and proceeded to place money into the account without my consent. They had even gone to the extent of accessing my phone as I slept to manage these funds, and adding their own biometrics to bypass my banking password. I was extremely worried and suspicious of this activity, but my relative had assured me that it was all legitimate and no one was getting hurt. (I am known to being naive and trusting, a trait which contributed to this mess sadly). Eventually my card went missing, finding out that my relative had swiped it out of my pocket for safe keeping, and mainly to prevent me from using my own bank account. The card was blocked numerous times, and this relative pleased with me constantly to unblock it etc. Eventually I was denied access to the account - the banking app removed off my phone and placed onto theirs, my card being removed off me and losing access. The relative would often engage in verbal threats when I stood up to them demanding the card back. Eventually a large sum of money made its way into the account, and the relatives attempts to withdrawing it frantically and quickly lead to santander blocking the account as a whole. When the relative refused to provide a proper statement in regards to the account from where these funds came from, santander closed the account for fraud. Since then the incident has emotionally effected me and has lead to health issues. While I have since made a bank account, I am quite sure that I do have a cifas marker, although I am extremely worried about contacting them and triggering any reaction from my current bank.

 I'm writing today as it's slowly coming up to 2 years since the incident. I am due to begin a major chapter in my life and have fears of this incident coming back to haunt me, and require advice on what to do. While I do want the relative in question to get some form of sanction, my love, respect and curseful naivety restricts me from wishing that, and continue on to protect him. This forum is also the first place/first group of people where I have revealed the incident to publicly, confiding in other relatives first.
 

penners324

You're very likely to have a CIfas marker for your account being used as a money mule.

Did you ever report this to the police? If not do so immediately. However  after 2 years you'll have difficulty in explaining that gap to Santander. 

A CIFAS marker like that will make it impossible to open bank accounts (except credit union accounts), get credit cards and may even impact on job prospects (if they require a credit check). For 6 years.

[Deleted User]

@SilentAvantgarde551 writing this could have helped in a cathartic way, i hope so.
Members here will offer their help and possibly own experience, although 2 years ago it could still be useful information shared.

A Credit Reference Agency is a body that hold information on the way a person manages their money related business, via this website there is a Credit Club Credit Club | Get your FREE Credit Score, Credit Report & more (moneysavingexpert.com)
 organised by the CRA Experian, it is a useful resource to see what your file reads like.

Register and sign up to it and look through the entire file - not just the immediate, first, page where you see  a number stated - this number is only seen by you, it is not seen by anyone else, the 'credit score' term is used generically and lending/credit organisation have their own, internal, scoring method.

This file of yours will show what has happened over the last 2 years.

MovingForwards

Contacting Cifas directly will let you know if they hold any marker against you, as only a couple of the victim ones show on CRAs, not money mule, where you are suspected of doing something wrong etc.

MEM62

SilentAvantgarde551 said:

 While I do want the relative in question to get some form of sanction, my love, respect and curseful naivety restricts me from wishing that, and continue on to protect him. 

The you will have to live with the consequences of his actions.  You cannot have it both ways.  You should contact CIFAS to see what, if any, registration is held against you.    

SilentAvantgarde551

Thank you all for your suggestions. I'm still worried if I contact cifas it'll trigger some warning with my existing bank.

penners324

Your existing bank will already be getting those warnings 

SilentAvantgarde551

penners324 said:

Your existing bank will already be getting those warnings 

I applied for my current bank not long after the Santander account got closed (couple of weeks) - would the marker have been instantly given with the account closure or does it take time for them to get that info.

sourcrates

Have you physically checked each of the 3 main credit reference agencies to see exactly what is recorded on your credit file, or are you just acting off assumptions here?

[Deleted User]

When you reported the person to the police for financial fraud (you did do this, right?) you would have got a crime reference number, like with using Action Fraud, you can use this when you talk to the providers as evidence it wasn't your fault.

If you let the person get away with it, they will simply assume you were doing this willingly