CIFAS (Credit Industry Fraud Avoidance System)

The major lenders in the UK consumer credit industry established CIFAS in 1988. CIFAS is a non-profit making membership association solely dedicated to the prevention of financial crime. It aims to detect and prevent fraud, and so safeguard innocent people whose names, addresses or other details are used fraudulently by others in order to get credit. They do not provide a credit reference database - they provide a fraud prevention service.

How does CIFAS work?

When a CIFAS member identifies a suspected fraud, a warning is placed against the address or addresses linked to the application or account. The warning shows the name used on the application or account but this does not mean the person named is involved in the suspected fraud as fraudsters tend to use a variety of names, whether false or genuine. The CIFAS warning will appear on the file of any individual who has a link with the address used, and will be seen by all member organisations at application level if they check that address in the future.

The warning does not mean that the address has been blacklisted or the individuals living there are suspected of fraud. It means extra precautions should be taken to ensure the application or account that has prompted the check of the address is genuine and this protects the address against further misuse.

How does it protect me?

If you have lost or had identification documents stolen then you are at risk! A potential fraudster could use this documentation to fraudulently obtain credit or other services using your identity. Credit fraudsters can use the information on bank statements, passports, driving licenses and other sources of identification to apply for credit and purchase goods and services under the assumed identity of their victim. You, the consumer, will be unaware of the stolen identity until you start receiving bills demanding payment. ...