Glossary · UK
What is CIFAS Marker?
A fraud warning recorded against a person or address on the CIFAS National Fraud Database, visible to member organisations.
Full Definition
A CIFAS marker is an entry on the National Fraud Database maintained by CIFAS, the UK's fraud prevention service whose members include banks, lenders, insurers, and other organisations. Markers flag suspected or confirmed fraudulent activity, such as identity fraud, application fraud, or misuse of facilities, and can be linked to a person, address, or account. When a member organisation checks an application, an existing marker may lead to extra checks, declined products, or closed accounts. Markers fall into categories ranging from victim-of-impersonation to first-party fraud, and they typically remain on file for a set period (often up to six years for confirmed fraud) before expiring. Individuals have the right to request the data held about them and to challenge a marker they believe is wrong or unfair. A CIFAS marker is separate from a credit score but can have a similar practical effect, making it harder to obtain banking, credit, or insurance.