What is Cifas?
Who we are
We are a not-for-profit membership organisation that brings different sectors together for the common goal of eliminating fraud and financial crime. For over 35 years we have provided a secure, legal and effective framework for the real time sharing of high grade fraud risk data and intelligence. Hundreds of organisations work with us – ranging from high street banks, telcos, and insurers through to the public sector and government – all benefiting from each other’s data, intelligence, and learning. Our members share their data and intelligence across sectors to reduce instances of fraud and financial crime.
Throughout the UK, our experts and services help protect individuals and organisations from the growing and increasingly sophisticated threat of fraud and financial crime. Since 1988, Cifas has helped its members s protect themselves from billions of pounds worth of fraud losses.
With every organisation that becomes a Cifas member, or with whom we collaborate, we establish a tougher environment for those seeking to commit fraudulent conduct – both externally and within your organisation. Using the simple tools of communication and sharing information, we are able to shine a light on their activities for all our members and partners to see.
For members of the public we offer increased security against identity fraud, as well as expert advice on how to protect your personal data in our increasingly tech-reliant world.
What we do
Cifas for individuals
As a member of the public, we can provide you with the information and tools you need to understand fraud and financial crime when it happens, and offer advice about what you can do to protect yourself from becoming a victim.
If you’ve been a victim of identity fraud, or feel your personal data is vulnerable due to a breach, we offer Protective Registration. Find out more about keeping your personal details safe on our Identity Protection page.
We also hold information on individuals whose behaviour appears to be consistent with that of known fraudulent conduct. If you’ve been told Cifas holds information about you, you can make a Data Subject Access Request. Find out more about the information Cifas holds on individuals on the Subject Access Request page.
Cifas for organisations
Since 1988, Cifas has collaborated with organisations from across the public and private sectors to create a non-competitive fraud prevention environment, focused on working with rather than against each other to defeat criminals. Our methods utilise a number of products and services including fraud risk databases,investigative and analytical tools, and networking opportunities for our members and law enforcement partners.
Before providing a service, or employing a new staff member, Cifas members can check details against our databases for matches with individuals whose behaviour appears to be consistent with that of known fraudulent conduct. We also offer a range of training courses that provide the latest knowledge and skills in investigating and responding to fraud and financial crime.
Cifas Timeline
TODAY
2017
The Home Office joined Cifas – the first government department to do so in its entirety. Cifas also welcomed its 400th member organisation.
Cifas achieved its Investors in People (IIP) Silver Accreditation.
Cifas Reports, as passed to the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB), now contribute to national crime statistics on fraud, collated by the Office of National Statistics (ONS). This helps raise the profile of fraud and financial crime, so that government officials are better informed of the nature and scale of economic crime when creating national counter-economic crime policies.
2015
Fraud loss prevented by Cifas members: £1,104,025,083 Our 'Fraud Investigations Database' (FIND) was relaunched and our new refreshed brand went public.
For the second year running, we prevented over £1 billion in fraud loss.
The Joint Money Laundering Intelligence Taskforce (JMLIT) was created and Cifas was invited to participate.
2013
IFD members: 110 NFD members: 232 Fraud loss prevented by CIFAS members: £968,445,226 We had our 25th anniversary and Simon Dukes was appointed as the new Chief Executive
2011
Fraud loss prevented by CIFAS Members: £550,993,336 Five public sector bodies became members of CIFAS: the Legal Services Commission, the Financial Services Authority, the Student Loans Company, the Big Lottery Fund and the (then) UK Border Agency.
2016
IFD members: 172 NFD members: 285 Fraud loss prevented by Cifas members: £1,028,777,942 Cifas was invited to participate in the Home Secretary’s initiative to collaborate to reduce fraud – the Joint Fraud Taskforce was founded in February.
2013
Lady Barbara Judge, pictured, succeeded Ken Cherrett as Chairman, and a new Advisory Board including a Citizens’ Advocate was launched.
Our first video ‘Data to Go’ went viral – nearly 2 million views on Facebook and Twitter.
Another £1 billion in fraud loss was prevented.
2014
Fraud loss prevented by CIFAS members: £1,106,639,324 After consultation with the Home Office, the CIFAS Immigration Portal was created in order to allow retail banks to comply with the provisions of the Immigration Act 2014
In the same year, UK deceased data was made available to our members.
2012
Fraud loss prevented by CIFAS members: £762,418,971 CIFAS succeeded in its first attempt in achieving Investors in People (IIP) standard accreditation. IIP specialises in transforming business performance through people.
2010
Fraud loss prevented by CIFAS Members: £513,920,204 CIFAS welcomed its first public sector member: the Legal Services Commission.
