Cifas
Cifas is a fraud prevention service in the United Kingdom. It is a "not-for-profit" membership association representing organisations from across the public, private and voluntary sectors. Cifas states its mission is ‘to detect, deter and prevent fraud in society by harnessing technology and working in partnership’.
Cifas operates two core fraud prevention databases that are claimed to be the largest in the UK: the National Fraud Database and the Internal Fraud Database. Its systems are also used by banks and building societies to access Home Office immigration data through a specialist portal.
Data from Cifas' members reveals that instances of identity fraud in the UK are at record levels in the UK, particularly among people aged under 30.
Cifas data also highlighs the growing issue of "money mules" – people who allow their bank accounts to be used to launder money.
'''History'''
Cifas was established in 1988 by the Consumer Credit Trade Association under the acronym CIFAS: Credit Industry Fraud Avoidance System, although the company no longer operates under this acronym as the scope of its services has broadened. It was developed in association with the Office of Fair Trading, as well as the Information Commissioner's Office, who continue to this day to take an active interest in the development of Cifas.Cifas is today run by a board of directors, that includes both independent directors who are not directly involved in the day-to-day running of the organisation, and the Chief Executive and Chief Operating Officer, who are. From 1988 to 2016 the majority of the directors were elected by participating organisations. They now participate in the governance of the organisation through an "Advisory Board".
'''Fraud Databases'''
Cifas' National Fraud Database allows participating organisations to exchange details of applications for products or services which are considered to be fraudulent, inconsistent or suspicious ; exchange information about accounts and services which are being misused; and information about insurance and other claims that are considered to be fraudulent, inconsistent or suspicious.Organisations can also exchange information about innocent victims of fraud to protect them from further fraud.
The Internal Fraud Database allows participating organisations to exchange details of cases where an applicant or member of staff has acted fraudulently.
Under the Data Protection Act, an individual has the right to make a Subject Access Request to Cifas, who will, in accordance with the Act and its exemptions, disclose data held on the individual where the law permits it. Cifas is not a Credit Reference Agency but is the Data Controller for Cifas data and responsible for its accuracy.
'''Complaints'''
All warnings used to be examined by specialist fraud staff in participating organisations but automated systems may now be used to refuse a product or service without any investigation of a warning. Cifas says: "The ability to make automated decisions allows members to immediately decline facilities to subjects who are deemed an immediate fraud risk. This is another massive step forward in utilising the data from Cifas, freeing up resource from reviewing referrals that have already been deemed a high fraud risk."Consumers who are disadvantaged by this change in practice, may complain to the Information Commissioner and seek financial compensation from both Cifas and the responsible organisations who supplied and used the information. Consumers may also complain to one of the Ombudsman Services who cover the organisations represented within Cifas. This includes the Financial Ombudsman Service, the Communications Ombudsman, the Public Services Ombudsman and the Local Government & Social Care Ombudsman. To complain to the Cifas Chief Executive by email go to this webpage https://ceoemail.com/s.php?id=ceo-977325&c=Cifas-Chief%20Executive
'''Immigration Act 2014'''
In 2014, the Immigration Act became law. Cifas was named as the sole provider of Home Office Immigration Data and launched the Cifas Immigration Portal in December 2014. All current account-providing banks and building societies in the UK are required to use the CIP to access the Home Office data on disqualified persons. The data was implicated in the "Windrush Scandal". Complaints about this should be sent to The Home Office:Complaints Allocation Hub, UK Visas and Immigration, 20 Wellesley Road, 7th Floor, Lunar House, Croydon, CR9 2BY
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/current-account-closed-or-refused-based-on-immigration-status
'''Other Services'''
Victims of identity fraud or people who are at risk of identity fraud can apply for Cifas Protective Registration for a £25 fee. Protective Registration acts as a warning the organisation should carry out additional checks to verify the identity of the applicant or customer. They may just refuse the product or service instead as they consider the fraud risk to be too high.Cifas used to operate a Protecting the Vulnerable scheme that helped local authorities protect individuals subject to the Mental Capacity Act 2005 in their care. This was merged into another service in 2020.
'''Financial Stability'''
"Not-for-profit" Cifas declared losses of £749,000 in 2017 and a further loss of £578,000 in 2018. Costs grew by 51% from £5.6 million to £8.5 million between 2016 and 2018. 2019's accounts are not yet available. Cifas is funded largely from levies on financial services suppliers and other partipating organisations funded by customers, and public sector organisations that are funded by taxpayers. The financial benefits of Cifas, reported by its participating organisations, have reduced from a high of £268 per £1 of subscription income to £234 in 2018. Cifas has Reserves of over £8 million in its most recently published accounts, built up from its surpluses in earlier years.'''Remuneration'''
The 2018 accounts show that Cifas paid its current Chief Executive who was appointed in April £195,536, for just 9 months in post, equivalent to £260,000 for a full year compared to £299,753 for the outgoing Chief Executive in 2017.'''Careers at Cifas'''
Cifas employs staff in a variety of different functions that include information technology, data analysis, compliance, best practice, consumer relations, project management, sales and marketing, product development, training, administration, external relations and public relations, human resources and finance. There were redundancies in 2017 and 2018, as well as recruitment to new positions.'''Collaborations and Partnerships'''
Cifas works with fraud prevention, financial, public sector, academic and charitable organisations and law enforcement to raise awareness of fraud and promote best practice in fraud prevention. Collaborative partners include the City of London Police, CIPFA, the Home Office, Age UK and UK Finance.MCGA