CRAs, identity fraud and password/PIN

TMSG

I've just returned from a lengthy trip around India and one thing that troubled me then and troubles me now is the fact that in every Indian hotel, guest house etc my main passport page (and my wife's) was photographed (smartphone). Additionally copies of the pic went to the local police station, FRROs and probably other people. I know that this is normal practice in India for foreigners and that I simply won't get a room if I don't accept that.

OTOH the idea that our passport pages are now on dozens if not hundreds of devices beyond our control does worry me. I do whatever I can to make identity fraud as hard as possible but here I am at a loss. I once visited a website where a way is described to make identity fraud much harder: https://theantisocialengineer.com/MyPAS/

This finger-printing stuff is perhaps overkill but I am wondering whether I can add a password or a PIN as a Notice of Correction to the CRAs involved so if a fraudster applies for an account (or similar) in my name they can't go ahead with opening that w/o knowing the password/PIN. I never apply for credit or a smartphone contract and very rarely do something else that would require me giving such a password/PIN, so it's not at all an inconvenience.

Has anyone tried something along those lines and can share their experiences? All hints for this or other ways to achieve more protection against identity fraud are welcome!

MorningcoffeeIV

A CIFAS protective marker would do what you're looking for.

TMSG

@MorningcoffeeIVThanks for that. I was under the impression that a CIFAS marker can have negative consequences for the "protected" and sometimes creates more problems than it solves.

I also just did a quick google and it's not at all clear from the results whether this is a good idea.

Any input from actual users of that service would be greatly appreciated.

marcia_

 I've not used cifas but experian put a password on my credit file years ago. 

 When I applied for credit i got a call from the company I applied to asking for the password. 

MattMattMattUK

TMSG said:

@MorningcoffeeIVThanks for that. I was under the impression that a CIFAS marker can have negative consequences for the "protected" and sometimes creates more problems than it solves.

I also just did a quick google and it's not at all clear from the results whether this is a good idea.

Any input from actual users of that service would be greatly appreciated.

Your impression is wrong, unless you class "negative consequences" of occasionally being asked to prove you are who you say you are. A lot of people get protective registration mixed up with CIFAS markers which have huge negative consequences. Protective registration is just that, there to protect you, CIFAS markers, with different categories, show that the person has committed one of several kinds of fraud or attempted fraud and in most cases financial institutions will not offer services to those individuals. 

If you are worried about fraudulent applications in your name then get protective registration, it will not have any negative impact on your day to day life and the most you might need when applying for a financial product is a video call with your passport to prove you are you. 

TMSG

@marcia_ That's interesting. Did you trigger adding this password yourself or was it done by Experian? If the latter, do you know why they would do that?

As for the posts re CIFAS, it seems I was simply mistaken and/or had two different things mixed up in my head. So yes, I will certainly look into that. Thanks for the pointers!

marcia_

TMSG said:

@marcia_ That's interesting. Did you trigger adding this password yourself or was it done by Experian? If the latter, do you know why they would do that?

As for the posts re CIFAS, it seems I was simply mistaken and/or had two different things mixed up in my head. So yes, I will certainly look into that. Thanks for the pointers!

 They suggested it whilst on the phone to them after an ex took lots of credit out in my name. Sure if you ring them they can do it but there are more Credit reference agencies that are used than experian.