Cifas

Cifas
Company type"Not-for-profit" organisation
IndustryFraud prevention
Founded1988
Headquarters
London WC1
,
United Kingdom
Key people
  • John Browett (Chairman, 2020–present)
  • Barbara Judge CBE (Chairman, 2016–2020)
  • Ken Cherrett (Chairman, 1990–2016)
  • Vic Ware OBE (Chairman, 1988–1990)
  • Mike Haley (CEO, 2018–2023)
  • Simon Dukes (CEO, 2013–2018)
  • Peter Hurst (CEO, 1999–2013)
  • Alan Hilton (CEO, 1990–1999)
  • Anthony Sharp (CCTA, 1988–1990)
Products
  • National Fraud Database
  • Internal Fraud Database
Number of employees
90+

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".[1]

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.[2]

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.[3]

Cifas data also highlights the growing issue of "money mules" – people who allow their bank accounts to be used to launder money.

  1. ^ "About Us". Cifas. 7 December 2015. Archived from the original on 16 March 2017. Retrieved 2017-03-15.
  2. ^ "CIFAS named for bank account controls role". GOV.UK. Home Office. 26 February 2014. Retrieved 2017-03-15.
  3. ^ "Identity fraud reached record levels in 2016". BBC News. 2017-03-15. Retrieved 2017-03-15.