CIFAS Flag in Error - what are the next steps?

ElTedistino

Good Morning all, looking for a little advice if possible please....i'll summarise in bullet form:

1. Received a text message from Halifax in June 2022 saying 'thanks for updating your details' - I hadn't, so I quickly called them and found out my address, phone number & email address had been changed.  Some digging established that someone had got hold of my details, written a letter to Halifax informing them that I had separated from my wife (I haven't) and moved house (I haven't) and that these were my new details, with a vaguely similar signature to mine.  Managed to get these changed back to my correct details, made a complaint to Halifax who investigated and claimed they had done no wrong and correct procedures were followed.
2. In hindsight, at this point I should've have done something to protect myself further, but I didn't.
3. Received a text message from Halifax and MBNA (I have a 0% Balance transfer credit card with them) on 23rd December 2022, saying that following a review of my accounts, both would be shutting in 2 months time.  This alarmed me and my access to their apps had been suspended.  Spoke to Halifax on the phone and to cut a long story short, they suggested I contact CIFAS.
4. Received my Subject Access Request from from CIFAS on 30th December 2022....it shows a fraud flag from Barclays Bank (who I don't bank with) submitted on 24th June 2022.  It appears that a bank account had been opened with Barclays in June in my name.  The current address linked to the account is not mine, but the previous address shown is my current address.  The email address is not mine, mobile number is not mine and the employment details recorded are not mine either.  There is a £4,000 loss showing for Barclays and a misuse of facility fraud flag listed against me.
5. Obviously, this has alarmed and upset me and I want the fraud flag removed asap.  I spoke to Barclays on the phone yesterday, the lady did not fill me with any confidence at all that this will be resolved.

Has anyone else experienced anything similar before?  What steps should I be taking to get this fraud flag removed as soon as possible to cause as little damage to my financial position as possible?  I can't even access my MBNA credit card now - I have a 0% balance with £3,000 on it for the next 32 months, i can't afford to pay that back in one go now.  

Any advice on steps I should take, greatly appreciated,

Thank you in advance

phillw

https://www.cifas.org.uk/contact-us/i-want-to-make-a-complaint

You will need to complain to Barclays.

I'd report it to actionfraud as well, so you can tell Barclays that you have done this.

If you won't report it, they might assume you're trying to protect the person that has committed the fraud (which is likely to be you or someone known to you).

MalMonroe

Hi, I'm sorry to hear this has happened. 

I agree with what phillw says above in respect of complaining and reporting.

But not in respect of this - "they might assume you're trying to protect the person that has committed the fraud (which is likely to be you or someone known to you)."  

Hackers are very clever and can obtain any information they want from the internet of any targeted person. If you've ever seen the investigative programme 'Dirty Rotten Scammers' (BBC1, now on iPlayer), you will have seen this happen time and again to many unsuspecting victims. The authorised hackers on their programme have told us how it's done (obviously not all the details!) on more than one occasion. And the perpetrator has never been anyone known to the victim.

There would have been a CIFAS marker on your credit reports because you were a victim, too, I'm afraid. That happened to me when someone tried to open a credit card with Vanquis in my name but they used my own name and address, which indicated that they didn't know what they were doing and it was nipped in the bud when I phoned Vanquis to ask what on earth was happening on receipt of their welcoming letter. My credit reports still received a 'victim' CIFAS marker - for 12 months, even though I protested and should really have complained.

I assume that you have now tightened up security on all your accounts - changed passwords, etc. and started using two-step security measures for everything. That's what I did and so far, so good.  

martinbainbridge1975

As above instigate the complaints process and let Barclays investigate this, not only does this protect you but also keeps Barclays on their toes because they have to respond within 8 weeks as per FCA protocol.

If the response is not satisfactory escalate to the financial ombudsman and send a copy of the response from Barclays

Has the fraudulent account appeared on your credit file?  If so have you raised a dispute

ElTedistino

Hello & thanks for your responses so far, much appreciated.

I have sent Barclays a letter with my complaint and supporting evidence to prove that this is a case of identity theft and have asked for them to remove the CIFAS fraud flag marker.  I have checked my credit file (Equifax) and the fraudulent account is on there.  I have made Equifax aware that this is not mine - it is showing under the random address and Equifax are also contacting Barclays on my behalf to ask them to remove the account and fraud flag.  I have also contacted Action Fraud and have a reference number from them.  

I'll keep you posted - I'm hoping Barclays will quickly see the error and have the fraud flag and fraudulent account removed from my credit file.

I have also purchased Protective Registration from CIFAS - happy to do as much as I can to protect myself and make it as difficult as possible for whoever it is that is impersonating me.