CIFAS vs the rest of us

[profhell]

Ladies/Gents,

 

First posting, and I think it's best to start it with a warm thank you and well done to everyone here that's fighting for rights we once took for granted, and which have now been eroded so much, that nothing short of a revolt by all of us is likely to make a difference.

 

Down to business ..

 

I don't know how many other people here have been affected by one hidden nightmareishevildamonicvampire called CIFAS. I have a feeling there are many, and yours truly is one of them.

 

Rather than go into enormous detail, I'm posting this thread to gauge interest, and to find out the process about creating such a forum, dedicated specifically to victims of CIFAS and their subscribers, and to share experiences, thoughts ...etc in much the same way as all the other forums do.

 

Thanks once again ..

 

prof.hell

[livelylad]

Thread moved to the campaign forum.

[louise2202]

Hi Profhell

 

Definitely set up a CIFAS forum. I don't know what to do about them. I have a warning on my file that isn't even in my name ! A new tenant at my old address has committed some kind of fraud against Lloyds TSB, and I'm being penalised. Now, a job I have applied for is possibly in jeopardy, as my "financial status" will be checked, and any fraud warnings will mean my application is rejected. What can I do?

[profhell]

Hi Profhell

 

Definitely set up a CIFAS forum. I don't know what to do about them. I have a warning on my file that isn't even in my name ! A new tenant at my old address has committed some kind of fraud against Lloyds TSB, and I'm being penalised. Now, a job I have applied for is possibly in jeopardy, as my "financial status" will be checked, and any fraud warnings will mean my application is rejected. What can I do?

 

Hi Louise,

 

I've just started a thread in the General forum: http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/general/24012-new-view-cifas.html

 

As to what can be done about it: pretty much nothing, and it WILL affect you because it is address based as opposed to individual based. The only effective way I've found is to wait for the warning to expire, and the time it takes is little over one year PROVIDED no further "fraudulent" activity is reported and the rest is in that posting.

 

I'm still gathering votes for the forum, and once enough people have voted and the moderators have created the forum, I intend to take active steps to bring legal action against CIFAS and it's membership scheme for their recklessness in abusing the DPA and for effectively operating above the law.

 

So .. this is an open invitation for everyone to vote for the forum creation, and a request to the moderators to create such a form. I'd be happy to dedicate time and resource to moderate that forum if that's ok with everyone, as well as contribute towards the costs of the proposed legal action.

 

One thing you could do which would help, I found, is to post a notice of correction onto your CRA files with all three CRAs (Equifax, Experian and CallCredit) explaining that there is no link between you and the individual(s) concerned and to request further verification from yourself when searching your file.

 

Such notices are useless for credit applications, but will make a difference for things like job apps, id verifications and such like.

 

Good luck ..

 

prof.hell

[louise2202]

Thanks Prof, for the advice

 

Funnily enough, the warning was placed on my file exactly a year ago today, under someone else's name when I hadn't even lived at the address for over three years. Do the warnings expire after a year? If so, then hopefully it will be removed soon. I'm paranoid about losing this job though.....please keep in touch re. the legal action.....I'd be very interested in the outcome,

 

Thanks again

Louise

[profhell]

Thanks Prof, for the advice

 

Funnily enough, the warning was placed on my file exactly a year ago today, under someone else's name when I hadn't even lived at the address for over three years. Do the warnings expire after a year? If so, then hopefully it will be removed soon. I'm paranoid about losing this job though.....please keep in touch re. the legal action.....I'd be very interested in the outcome,

 

Thanks again

Louise

 

Hi Louise,

 

You are very welcome.

 

Warnings do expire in just a little over one year (14 months in mine and others' experience), provided offcourse that the individual concerned is not on their radar again.

 

Now to address your concerns: first of, that's a previous address of yours and the warning is in someone else's name, so the odds are stacked in your favor whenever someone does a search. Second, do add that notice of correction to your file stating that a) you have no link to the individual concerned, and b) that if someone searching sees the flag, they are to ask you for further verification before taking a decision.

 

Doing so would give you a legal advantage should you need to argue the case with anyone.

 

Finally, linked address data, including previous address information, are removed from the record after 6 years. This is something the CRAs will not tell you, but is infact true to the tee.

 

So .. if I were you, I wouldn't worry about loosing the job opportunity because of this CIFAS warning - just concentrate on winning the interviews . CIFAS are evil, but in your case, common sense, the legal argument and the notice of correction suggested will firmly close off that front.

 

Best of luck with your job app, give 'em hell girl

 

Take care ..

 

prof.hell

[crh]

Hi Profhell

 

we definatly need a forum,

 

I though CRA's and DCA's where the bottom on the morrally bancrupt barrell but CIFAS seems to take evil to a ew level

 

I cant tell you how much trouble a CAT4 marker has caused me because of some over zealous halifax employee in the fraud department. Basically i was out of the country for two years. The bank employee was bamboozled by the computer because it didnt cater for me to have a previous foriegn address so he put my current uk address down for the last five years. ignoring my previous uk address which is why they cifas'sd me. I already have a basic bank account with halifax so i didnt think it would be a problem.

 

I'm probably going to lose my job over this. I have to go through a financial background check to get cleared. I cant tell you how much this makes me angry and how much it annoys me that i can do zereo about it. i didnt even knew i had till after i had reapplied for a upgraded account and it got sent back

[JimmyTheOne]

Todays press:

 

CIFAS, the UK's fraud prevention service, already provides a degree of protection for consumers against identity theft. However, CIFAS members only account for about 250 of the 4,000 lenders in the UK.

 

TIP: Google "Free ID Protection" and visit the Free ID Protection website.

[crh]

it dosent matter if only 250 of the 4000 lenders in the uk are members. All of the major high street banks are members and a cifas marker will appear on a credit record for anyone doing a search on you too see.

[JimmyTheOne]

it dosent matter if only 250 of the 4000 lenders in the uk are members. All of the major high street banks are members and a cifas marker will appear on a credit record for anyone doing a search on you too see.

 

It does matter if you think you are FULLY protected by CIFAS Protective Registration and you end up being a ID theft victim.

 

The CIFAS Marker is only made available to CIFAS members.

 

LIke I said it's the INDUSTRY's Fraud Avoidance System, designed to Protect CIFAS members (High Street Banks) and NOT the indiviudal.

 

I'd bet you can't get a list of CIFAS Members