Not upheld: fraud marker recording - Cifas report complaint against Barclays Bank UK PLC

Decision detail

Summary

Mr S complained that Barclays recorded a fraud marker with Cifas in connection with a mortgage application he claimed he did not make. Barclays had received a mortgage application in Mr S's name, verified his identity through a driving licence and selfie, but discovered the supporting bank statement was altered. The ombudsman found that Barclays had reasonable grounds to suspect fraud and was justified in reporting to Cifas. Although Mr S disputed making the application and claimed the supporting documents were not his, the ombudsman concluded that on the available evidence, it was reasonable to believe Mr S made or agreed to the application. The complaint was not upheld and the marker was not removed.

The Ombudsman's reasoning

The ombudsman found that Barclays had reasonable grounds to suspect fraud because a mortgage application in Mr S's name was submitted with verified identity documents but supported by an altered bank statement. Reporting to Cifas does not require proof beyond reasonable doubt, only reasonable suspicion. The ombudsman noted that if Mr S did not make or agree to the application, he would not be an eligible complainant, but on the available evidence, the ombudsman could not reasonably conclude he did not make or agree to it. No new evidence has emerged that would justify removing the marker.

How this compares

Source

Read the original decision on the Financial Ombudsman Service website