Identity Fraud CIFAS Marker — Are You a Victim?
If someone used your identity to commit fraud, you're the victim — not the perpetrator. Banks often file the wrong marker type. Here's how we get it reclassified.
242,003 cases
Identity fraud cases in 2025 — 54% of all CIFAS cases. Many victims have the wrong marker type filed against them.
What Is a Identity Fraud CIFAS Marker?
Identity fraud occurs when someone uses your personal information to open accounts, apply for credit, or commit fraud in your name. If you're the victim, you should have a "Victim of Impersonation" marker — which lasts 13 months, not 6 years. The critical problem: banks often file the wrong marker type, filing the perpetrator's marker against the victim. In 2025, there were 242,003 identity fraud cases — 54% of all CIFAS cases.
Why Identity Fraud Markers Are Challengeable
Wrong Marker Type Filed
Banks frequently file a perpetrator marker (6 years) against the victim instead of a Victim of Impersonation marker (13 months). This is a categorical error that can be corrected.
Victim vs Perpetrator
If someone used your identity without your knowledge, you are the victim — not the perpetrator. The marker should reflect this distinction. A victim marker lasts 13 months; a perpetrator marker lasts 6 years.
Request Reclassification
You can request that the bank reclassify the marker from perpetrator to victim. This requires evidence that you were the victim of identity fraud, not the perpetrator.
Common Scenarios That Trigger This Marker
Accounts Opened in Your Name
Someone opened bank accounts, credit cards, or loans in your name without your knowledge. The bank filed a fraud marker — against you, the victim.
Applications Made with Your Details
Someone used your personal information to apply for credit. The bank flagged it as fraud and filed a marker against your identity.
Synthetic Identity Fraud
Someone combined your real personal information with fabricated details to create a synthetic identity for fraudulent applications.
Data Breach Exploitation
Your personal data was exposed in a breach and used to commit fraud. The bank filed a marker against you despite you being the victim.
How We Challenge Your Identity Fraud Marker
Our proven 5-step process for challenging identity fraud CIFAS markers.
Report to Action Fraud
File a report with Action Fraud and obtain a police crime reference number. This is critical evidence of victim status.
Submit a DSAR
File a Subject Access Request to see what marker type was filed and what evidence the bank holds.
Prove Victim Status
Compile evidence proving you were the victim — police reports, Action Fraud reference, proof you didn't authorise the applications.
Request Reclassification
We draft a formal complaint requesting the bank reclassify the marker from perpetrator (6 years) to Victim of Impersonation (13 months).
Escalate to FOS
If the bank refuses, we escalate to the FOS, which has consistently ruled that victims should not carry perpetrator markers.
Real Identity Fraud Case Examples
Anonymised case studies of identity fraud CIFAS markers we've successfully challenged.
Wrong Marker Reclassified
6 weeksScenario: A client discovered someone had opened accounts in their name. The bank filed a 6-year perpetrator marker against the victim.
Outcome: We provided the Action Fraud report and police crime reference. The bank reclassified the marker to Victim of Impersonation (13 months).
Data Breach Victim
8 weeksScenario: A client's personal data was exposed in a major breach and used to apply for credit. The bank filed a fraud marker against the client.
Outcome: We provided evidence of the breach, the fraudulent applications, and proof the client didn't authorise them. Marker removed entirely.
*Case examples are anonymised to protect client privacy. Outcomes are not guaranteed and depend on individual circumstances.
Identity Fraud CIFAS Marker FAQ
File a report with Action Fraud to get a police crime reference number. Gather evidence showing you didn't authorise the fraudulent activity — this is the strongest proof of victim status.
A Victim of Impersonation marker lasts 13 months and indicates you were the victim. A perpetrator marker lasts 6 years and indicates you committed fraud. Banks often file the wrong type against victims.
In some cases, yes. If the bank filed the marker against you as the victim and you can prove you didn't authorise the activity, the marker may be removed entirely — not just reclassified.
The Financial Ombudsman Service has consistently ruled that victims should not carry perpetrator markers. If the bank refuses, we escalate to the FOS, which can order reclassification or removal.
The bank has 8 weeks to respond to a formal complaint. With strong evidence (Action Fraud report, police reference), many banks reclassify without FOS escalation. If they refuse, FOS escalation takes 3–6 additional months.
Ready to Challenge Your Identity Fraud Marker?
From £249 to start — money-back guarantee. Our team has successfully challenged identity fraud markers and can help you too.
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Related CIFAS Marker Types
See how we challenge other types of CIFAS markers.