CIFAS

CIFAS (formerly the Credit Industry Fraud Avoidance System) is a not-for-profit fraud-prevention service used by UK banks, insurers, telecoms companies, and government bodies. Member organisations file fraud markers against individuals or accounts where a confirmed or attempted fraud has occurred. When another member subsequently receives an application or transaction linked to a flagged identity or account, the marker triggers an enhanced review, helping prevent repeat victimisation and protecting the individual or organisation.

For consumers, CIFAS is significant in two ways. First, if your identity has been used fraudulently, a CIFAS marker may be filed in your name without your knowledge, which can cause future credit applications to be declined. You have the right to request a copy of any CIFAS data held about you by submitting a Subject Access Request through the CIFAS website. If the data is incorrect, you can dispute it through CIFAS's formal complaints process.

Second, CIFAS offers a Protective Registration service for people who have been victims of identity fraud. For a small annual fee, it adds a flag to your identity record so that any future application in your name triggers extra verification. CIFAS is not a law enforcement body; it does not investigate individual fraud cases or provide financial redress, but the intelligence it provides helps prevent fraud across its member network.