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CIFAS Marker Removal

CIFAS marker removal doesn’t have to be confusing or impossible. This guide breaks down exactly what a CIFAS marker is, how it affects you, and the proven steps to remove one.

CIFAS Marker Removal Guide
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June 23, 2025

What is CIFAS?

What is a CIFAS marker?

CIFAS markers: the most common types (2024)

How do I know if I have a CIFAS marker?

CIFAS markers: the categories and durations

What do CIFAS markers affect?

How to remove a CIFAS marker

Common mistakes to avoid when removing a CIFAS marker

Is a CIFAS marker a Criminal Record?

Can employers become aware of CIFAS markers?

What bank accounts can I open with a CIFAS marker?

Useful links

Other Fraud Databases

ADVICIFAS: CIFAS Marker Removal

Frequently Asked Questions

As you are reading this guide, we’d assume you’ve been hit with a CIFAS marker.

CIFAS markers carry heavy implications for those who are penalised with one, but removing them is not as difficult as some may claim — especially solicitors.

This guide looks into the truth behind CIFAS marker removal; how you should approach it, what you need to know, and how to do it right.

What is CIFAS?

CIFAS (or Cifas) stands for Credit Industry Fraud Avoidance System. It’s an unregulated, not-for-profit fraud prevention organisation with over 500 member institutions. CIFAS manages the UK’s largest database of confirmed fraud risk — the National Fraud Database (NFD).

CIFAS members include banks, lenders, telecom companies, and other financial services that share information about fraud to help prevent financial crime.

What is a CIFAS marker?

If a CIFAS member believes you’ve been involved in fraudulent activity — whether fairly or not — they can submit a record about you to the NFD. This record is referred to as a ‘CIFAS Marker’.

Once submitted, that marker beings visible to other members. They can use it when detecting, preventing, or investigating fraud.

This is permitted under Principle 2: Purpose Limitation of the National Fraud Database Principles, which outlines the requirement for legitimate and proportionate use of such data.

When you apply for a financial product — like a loan, credit card, or even a mobile contract — the company may search the NFD.

Should this search flag a CIFAS marker, they may use it to make a decision. Often, this results in automatic or manual rejection of the application.

In some cases, the presence of a CIFAS marker might even cause existing facilities to be closed, including bank accounts, credit cards, or payment platforms.

The impact may also extend to financial employment, particularly in regulated sectors.

While an existing mortgage facility is generally unaffected, applications for a new mortgage, remortgage, or equity release may be declined if a CIFAS marker is flagged during assessment.

CIFAS markers: the most common types (2024)

In 2024, over 421,000 CIFAS markers were recorded to the NFD, a rise of 13% (over 46,000 cases) and a record number of cases.

It marks the largest annual increase in fraud type filings ever recorded by CIFAS.

Misuse of Facility accounts for 18% of CIFAS markers filed to the NFD with over 74,247 records being made in 2024 alone, an increase by 1% on 2023.

Account Takeover accounted for 76% increase in 2024 from 2023, with over 74,000 cases being filed. Many of these cases relate to mobile phone accounts at 46%.

Over 21,700 False Application CIFAS markers were recorded in 2024, an increase of 10% on 2023, mostly relating to individuals using false information or purposefully omitting adverse information.

As a summary, members recorded a CIFAS marker to the NFD every two minutes.

How do I know if I have a CIFAS marker?

Most people only discover a CIFAS marker when accounts are suddenly closed, or when applications start being randomly rejected without explanation.

If you’ve been a victim of fraud, you may notice a ‘Victim of Impersonation’ marker on your credit report. This is added by a CIFAS member to protect your identity from further misuse.

Another type, ‘Protective Registration’, can also appear on a credit report.

This is a voluntary service available through CIFAS or authorised third parties, which you can request if you suspect you are at risk of identity fraud.

You can check your credit report online or request a copy by post from Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion. These reports are free as a legal requirement under the Consumer Credit Act.

However, not all CIFAS markers are visible on credit reports.

To view other CIFAS markers that do not appear on a credit report (e.g. Misuse of Facility, False Application etc), you will need to make a Data Subject Access Request (DSAR) directly to CIFAS.

An institution, or CIFAS member, is not legally obligated to inform you that they’ve recorded a CIFAS marker against you.

CIFAS markers: the categories and durations

Institutions apply different categories and durations depending on the fraudulent conduct.

1. Protective Registration: A self-requested marker added for precaution when you believe you’re at risk of identity fraud. Stays on file for 2 years.

2. Victim of Impersonation: Added by an institution when your identity has been used fraudulently to protect you, not penalise. Lasts for 13 months.

3. First Party Fraud: Involves obtaining goods, services, or credit with no intention to repay. Remains for up to 3 years if under 21, and up to 6 years if over 21.

4. Facility Takeover: Where a fraudster gains access to an existing account and carries out unauthorised activity. Lasts up to 6 years.

5. Misuse of Facility: Opening an account or service with intent to commit fraud. Stays for up to 3 years if under 21, or up to 6 years if over 21.

6. Asset Conversion: Selling goods (usually under finance or lease) without legal ownership. Remains for up to 6 years.

7. Application Fraud: Submitting false information or documents on a financial application. Stays for up to 3 years if under 21, or up to 6 years if over 21.

8. Insurance Claims Fraud: Providing false details in an insurance claim to receive a payout. Remains for up to 6 years.

What do CIFAS markers affect?

CIFAS markers can influence a wide range of financial applications or existing facilities.

Whenever you apply for credit or open a new facility, any markers on your record may be flagged during automated or manual checks—often leading to delays, restrictions, or even rejections.

Mortgage Applications

Mortgage lenders carry out detailed credit and fraud checks, and CIFAS markers—especially those related to fraud—can raise red flags. While a marker doesn’t guarantee rejection, it can slow down approval, trigger additional scrutiny, or lead to stricter conditions.

Car Insurance

Although CIFAS markers won’t stop you from getting car insurance, they may affect how you’re allowed to pay—depending on the member.

In some cases, insurers may deny credit-based payment plans and require full payment upfront. Markers can also contribute to higher premiums.

Loans, Overdrafts and Credit Agreements

Personal loans, overdrafts, business finance, and even mobile phone contracts usually involve credit checks. A CIFAS marker—especially one related to application fraud or misuse—can make approval more difficult or lead to outright rejection.

Student Loans

Your credit history doesn’t affect eligibility for student finance. However, if a CIFAS marker causes your account to be frozen or closed, your student loan payments can’t be issued—effectively disrupting your funding access.

How to remove a CIFAS marker

CIFAS markers can absolutely be removed, but only if you do so correctly.

Below is a step-by-step guide with graphical representations of each step for accessibility.

Step 1: Submit a Data Subject Access Request (DSAR) to CIFAS

Head to the CIFAS website, fill out the ‘Data Subject Access Request’ form, and verify your identity to complete the DSAR to CIFAS.

Requesting the Data Subject Access Request on CIFAS.org.uk Website
Data Subject Access Request to CIFAS Received Confirmation with Tracking

Step 2: Await Subject Access Response Returned Data (CIFAS Report)

Despite that it states 10 working days on the CIFAS website, it usually takes up to 4 working days for the CIFAS report to be emailed to you.

CIFAS Data Subject Access Request retuned CIFAS report

Step 3: Analyse your CIFAS Report

Once you’ve received the report, analyse it to find and then note down the following:

  1. Filed by (institution);
  2. Case type;
  3. Reason(s) for filing; and
  4. Cifas filing.
CIFAS Report Outlining Analysis Requirements
CIFAS Report Outlining Analysis Requirements — Cropped Edition

Step 4: Learn the legalities, and your rights

Prior to adventuring onto complaint production and submission, it is absolutely vital that you learn the following:

  1. CIFAS Principles including:
    • Principle 4: Lawfulness (Standard of Proof);
    • Principle 5: Fairness (Protecting innocent parties);
  2. UK Finance guidelines relating to CIFAS-related complaints; and
  3. Key insights from Financial Ombudsman decisions.

Principle 4: Standard of Proof (Lawfulness)

According to Principle 4: Standard of Proof (Lawfulness), an institution when recording or maintaining a CIFAS marker must adhere to the following evidential requirements:

  • Retain a compact file of evidence showing clearly that you either acted with:
    •  Complicity in fraud; or
    • Deliberate dishonesty with the intent to defraud the institution or someone else.

Without these requirements having been met, the CIFAS marker is unlawful.

Principle 5: Fairness (Protecting innocent parties)

This principle enforces the protecting of innocent parties, including unwitting victims of fraud and financial crime, such as an unwitting money mule, or the victim of a chargeback scam.

If you have been the unwitting victim of fraud or a scam, but have been penalised with a CIFAS marker, this is additionally unlawful.

UK Finance guidelines relating to CIFAS-related complaints

As per guidelines imposed by UK Finance, once a CIFAS marker is considered unlawful, it must be removed immediately from the database.

It also states that once a CIFAS marker has served its purpose, it must also be removed. Keep this in mind for describing your implications later.

Key insights from Financial Ombudsman decisions

The Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) publicly releases a number of their responses to CIFAS-related complaints, some with the decision made favour of the complainant.

You can use these decisions to learn how to position and structure your challenge.

Look at what the Ombudsman states as there are key guideline insights in what they say, even from the CIFAS Handbook (inaccessible to the public).

Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) Decisions on CIFAS Marker Removal
Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) Decisions on CIFAS Marker Removal — Actual Document

Breaches to terms and conditions does not constitute a lawful basis to record nor maintain a CIFAS marker

Some CIFAS member organisations will attempt to retain a CIFAS marker simply based on a breach to their terms and conditions.

Breaching an institution’s terms and conditions is not a lawful basis to record nor maintain a CIFAS marker.

It simply means, if anything, that they were correct to close your account, or reject the application, but they were not correct to load the CIFAS marker against you.

Step 5: Start strategising your challenge

Now that you know the relevant legalities and your rights, you can start strategising how you will remove your CIFAS marker.

Think and strategise what it is in your particular case that could make the CIFAS marker unlawful — as that’s all you need to do to get it removed.

Ask yourself: At the time of the fraud, did I know it was fraudulent? If the answer is no, then there is your answer. You weren’t complicit, nor did you have an intent to defraud, therefore the recording institution cannot have the evidence, thus making the marker unlawful.

Don’t just think. Write it down in a document to come back to later.

Adding initial strategy for version of events resulting in recording of CIFAS Marker to Strategic Planning Document

Step 6: Note down the implications

In the same document/file you are writing your strategic planning, note down the implications caused by the CIFAS marker.

Ask yourself the following, and answer them in your document:

  1. Have I lost bank accounts due to the CIFAS marker?
  2. How is my mental health and general wellbeing due to the CIFAS marker?
  3. Has the CIFAS marker stopped me from going to University?
  4. What else has the CIFAS marker stopped me from doing?
  5. Does it make me depressed, suicidal, anxious, or anything else?
  6. Does my family speak to me? If not, is this due to my CIFAS marker?

Add every implication you can think of, regardless of its relevance. This is about proving how this has affected you, and you deserve to be heard.

Remember, you are just planning, so it does not need to sound like a complaint yet.

Adding Implications caused by CIFAS Marker to Strategic Planning Document

Step 7: Locate the CEO email of the institution

Unless you must, do not email the standard complaints team. Send your challenge directly to  the CEO’s email inbox of that institution.

Sending to the CEO’s email address ensures that the challenge is reviewed directly by their executive complaints team — a team that takes your challenge much more seriously.

To do this, follow the below steps:

The website to find every CEO email address

Go to the website CEOemail.com.

CEO Email Homepage for locating CEO Email Address for CIFAS Marker Removal Challenge Submission

Locate the search function

Locate the search function and leave ‘Company/Organisation Name begins with‘ as is.

CEO Email Address Locating Search Function for CIFAS Marker Removal Complaint Submission To Executive Complaints Team

Search for the recording institution

Type in the institution’s name (without PLC/Ltd/Limited etc) who recorded the CIFAS marker and press ‘Search‘. 

CEO Email Address Locating with Search Button Graphic for CIFAS Marker Removal Complaint Submission To Executive Complaints Team

Select the institution

Scroll down and select the institution’s link in the ‘CEO Name – Telephone – Email Address‘ tab column.

CEO Email Address Locating for CIFAS Marker Removal Complaint Submission To Executive Complaints Team

Find the CEO's email in the page

Zoom out on that page to see the CEO’s email address — do not be concerned of the name as you won’t address the challenge to the CEO’s name, but to their email.

CEO Email Address Located for CIFAS Marker Removal Complaint Submission To Executive Complaints Team

Unfortunately, if you cannot locate the CEO’s email address, you will have to use their standard complaints team email address instead.

Step 8: Note the CEO's email address in your document/file

Head to the document where you’ve been noting your strategy and implications. Note the CEO’s email address here too.

CEO Email Adding Into Strategic Planning Document

Step 9: Produce your CIFAS Marker Removal challenge

Download the CIFAS Marker Removal relevant template below to assist in positioning and structuring your challenge. 

Strengthen your strategic wording, and write this into the relevant, provided template, alongside strengthened and more detailed explanations of all implications.

Do not provide falsified information.

Ensure everything you enter is true to the best of your knowledge.

Misuse of Facility template

Can be used with any Misuse of Facility CIFAS marker.

Download
Misuse of Facility CIFAS Marker Removal Complaint Document Template Download in DOCX Format

False Application template

Can be used with any False Application CIFAS marker.

Download
False Application (Application Fraud) CIFAS Marker Removal Complaint Document Template Download in DOCX Format

Complaints tips

Is recommended to be used to strengthen your challenge further.

Download
CIFAS Complaint Tips Document in PDF

Step 10: Send off your produced challenge

Once you’ve produced and proof-read your challenge, send it off to the CEO email address you obtained earlier, ensuring to explain the urgency — if there is urgency — in it being reviewed as fast as possible.

CIFAS Complaint Submission Step

Step 11: Await further contact from the recording institution

The next stages involve the recording institution contacting you to request either further information, or clarification on the information you’ve provided.

Cooperate fully and be entirely honest. 

Being honest will enable them to hear and feel how this is affecting you, and will help in leveraging a better outcome.

The institution has up to 56 days to respond to a complaint under DISP 1.6.2R of the FCA Handbook.

Step 12: Receive and analyse the final response letter (FRL)

Upon receiving your final response letter (FRL), you will learn as to whether the CIFAS marker was successfully removed or not.

If it was, enjoy the financial freedom, and be more careful next time.

However, if it wasn’t removed, do not lose hope as this is not a bad thing.

Read the response to learn what their reasoning for keeping the marker recorded is, and add this to your strategy file.

Step 13: Request CIFAS review

If the institution refuses to remove the marker, you can ask CIFAS to conduct an independent review—but only after receiving a Final Response Letter (FRL) from the recording institution.

CIFAS must respond within 14 days. However, you don’t have to wait for their response before escalating to the Ombudsman.

Step 14: Complain to the relevant ombudsman or complaint service

If CIFAS upholds the record institution’s decision—or you choose not to wait—you can submit a formal complaint to the relevant Ombudsman.

  • For mobile networks or telecoms: Go to CISAS

Ensure to include all correspondence, your DSAR results, and any refusal letters in your submission.

The CIFAS Marker Removal Templates from Step 8 can be used to assist with this process.

Common mistakes to avoid when removing a CIFAS marker

Removing a CIFAS marker is typically a process requiring strategy. It is therefore expected that there are common mistakes to avoid during the process.

Some of the most damaging mistakes include:

  • Submitting false or misleading information;
  • Rushing in without knowing your rights or the CIFAS Principles;
  • Focusing only on emotional impact rather than disproving the allegation; and
  • Using generic templates or Resolver that institutions dismiss instantly.

These mistakes can lead to rejection, delays, or even escalation of suspicion. Learn how to avoid them all — with examples, legal context, and real-world insight — in our dedicated article:

CIFAS Marker Removal: Common Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Case

Is a CIFAS marker a Criminal Record?

CIFAS markers are not a criminal record.

CIFAS markers relate solely to financial behaviour and do not appear on a criminal record.

However, if you’ve been prosecuted in connection with the conduct that led to a CIFAS marker, the resulting conviction may be recorded as part of your criminal history.

Can employers become aware of CIFAS markers?

Employers are able to access the CIFAS database if they choose to, though in practice this is typically limited to regulated sectors such as finance and law.

Any information retrieved may be used as part of the organisation’s decision-making process when assessing a candidate for employment.

What bank accounts can I open with a CIFAS marker?

Fortunately, not all financial institutions offering accounts are members of the CIFAS NFD.

This means that there are accounts you can open and use just like a normal day-to-day bank account, referred to as ‘E-money Accounts’.

Such accounts usually offer a sort code, account number, and debit card.

However, funds in accounts with these institutions are not typically covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).

We’d therefore recommend only using one of these accounts whilst you have your CIFAS marker removed, either by doing it yourself, or with a specialist.

For more information on which bank accounts you can open with a CIFAS marker, visit Bank Accounts That Accept CIFAS Markers.

Useful links

These pages offer valuable context on how similar cases have been handled and may help you build a stronger case by referencing past Ombudsman decisions.

Other Fraud Databases

In addition to CIFAS, there are two other major fraud prevention databases used by most financial institutions: SIRA and National Hunter.

Both systems collect limited personal data submitted during applications made to member organisations. This typically includes your name, date of birth, address, phone numbers, and email addresses — all provided at the time of application.

SIRA

SIRA members not only submit applicant data but also assign an outcome to each application — either “clear” or “refer“.

  • A clear outcome means no inconsistencies or suspected fraud were detected.
  • A refer outcome indicates that the application raised concerns and may require further review.

Both outcomes remain on the SIRA database for six years.

National Hunter

All National Hunter members are FCA-regulated financial institutions, although National Hunter itself is not regulated by the FCA.

Its process is similar to SIRA’s but allows for more nuanced assessments, including:

  • Inconsistency
  • Suspicious

These terms signal that submitted information may not match expectations or raises red flags — even if no fraud has been confirmed.

Challenging entries in SIRA or National Hunter

If incorrect or unfair information is recorded in either database, you can challenge it in a similar way to disputing a CIFAS marker.

This includes submitting a Data Subject Access Request (DSAR), contacting the recording institution directly, and escalating the matter to an Ombudsman if necessary.

ADVICIFAS: CIFAS Marker Removal

We’ve demonstrated years of industry-leading skillset and specialisation deriving from forefront experience against financial institutions, allowing the finances of 300+ of our valued clients to be freed from CIFAS.

If you’re struggling with a CIFAS Marker, or with removing a CIFAS Marker, we can help you. We’ll supply you with a service that will remove your CIFAS Marker, guarantee, within 8 weeks. To learn more, visit CIFAS Marker Removal Services.

Frequently Asked Questions

Discover answers to our most-common questions regarding CIFAS markers.

A CIFAS marker is a fraud-related warning placed by an institution on a shared database, alerting other members to potential risk connected to a person’s financial conduct or identity.

You can find out by submitting a Data Subject Access Request (DSAR) directly to CIFAS. 

They’ll confirm if any markers exist and what category they fall under.

Most CIFAS markers last up to 6 years, but some, like Protective Registration, stay on for two years, and Victim of Impersonation for 13 months.

Yes, if challenged successfully.

You must contact the institution that placed it and escalate the case if necessary, including complaints to CIFAS and the relevant Ombudsman.

A CIFAS marker doesn’t directly affect your credit score, but it can lead to applications being declined — especially for mortgages, loans, and bank accounts.

If a CIFAS marker puts you into financial difficulty and causes issues in paying credit, for example, then that could directly affect your credit score.

It may be difficult.

Employers in regulated sectors like finance or law can access the CIFAS database, and a marker may impact hiring decisions.

No. CIFAS markers relate to financial behaviour and are not recorded on your criminal record.

However, if a prosecution occurred alongside the marker, that may show up separately.

All are fraud prevention databases. CIFAS shares markers between members; SIRA and National Hunter focus on application data and fraud flags like “refer” or “suspicious”.

Only member organisations of CIFAS can view markers.

These are typically banks, insurers, telecom companies, and financial services institutions.

It won’t stop you getting car insurance, but you may need to pay upfront.

Student loans aren’t credit-based, but if your bank account is closed, payments can’t be made.

No — you don’t need to provide evidence to have a CIFAS marker removed.

Under CIFAS’ Principles — specifically Principle 4: Standard of Proof (Lawfulness) — the responsibility lies entirely with the institution that placed the marker.

In short, they must prove that the marker is lawful; you don’t need to prove that it isn’t.

If the institution cannot justify the marker with their own evidence, they are expected to remove it. Fortunately, you still have the right to challenge the marker — even if you haven’t provided your own evidence.

Moreover, when an institution refuses to remove a marker despite failing to consider the sufficiency of their own evidence, this can be seen as an unfair handling of your complaint.

In such cases, you’re entitled to escalate the matter to the relevant ombudsman.

Yes. ADVICIFAS provides its Document Package completely free of charge.

This includes templates for:

  • Data Subject Access Requests (DSARs) to CIFAS and financial institutions
  • CIFAS marker removal complaint letters you can edit as a Word document and send to the institution that recorded the marker
  • Formal escalation guides (including CEO contact strategies and complaints writing tips)
  • Step-by-step guidance on removing your CIFAS marker

Each template is written to align with CIFAS Principles, the FCA’s DISP rules, and your rights under UK GDPR. They’re designed to strengthen your challenge.

Download It Now

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