Refused a loan because of a CIFAS marker? What to do
A CIFAS marker is a fraud-prevention flag that organisations can place on your record, and it can lead to refusals even when your ordinary credit is fine. The important steps are to find out whether a marker exists, understand what it relates to, and challenge it if it has been applied wrongly.
See everything you may qualify for — benefits, grants, reductions and reliefs — in about 3 minutes. Free to check.
Check what you're owed →CIFAS is a fraud-prevention service, and a marker on your file signals a concern that lenders take seriously. Sometimes markers are applied in genuine error, or relate to something you can explain, and they can affect applications even when the rest of your credit looks healthy.
You have the right to find out what is held about you. You can request the information CIFAS holds, which tells you whether a marker exists and what it relates to. If you believe it has been added incorrectly, there is a process to challenge it, and getting an inaccurate marker removed can clear the obstacle entirely.
While you investigate, the underlying need may still be pressing. Checking entitlements, grants and bill reductions can help in the meantime, since these are assessed on your circumstances rather than on fraud-prevention markers.
Deal with a CIFAS marker
- Request your data. Ask CIFAS for the information held about you to confirm whether a marker exists.
- Understand it. Find out what the marker relates to so you know what you are dealing with.
- Challenge if wrong. Use the proper process to dispute a marker you believe was added in error.
- Use circumstance-based help. Check entitlements and grants while the marker is being investigated.
Frequently asked questions
- What is a CIFAS marker?
- It is a fraud-prevention flag placed on your record that lenders can see. It can affect applications even when your ordinary credit history is fine.
- How do I find out if I have one?
- You can request the information CIFAS holds about you, which reveals whether a marker exists and what it relates to.
- Can I get a marker removed?
- If a marker has been applied incorrectly, there is a process to challenge it. An inaccurate marker that is removed can clear the obstacle.
MoneyFinder is an independent sign-posting service that helps you find financial support you may be entitled to. We are not a government body and do not provide financial advice. Figures are taken from the official sources cited above and were correct when last checked — always confirm current details on the linked GOV.UK pages.