--- title: "What to do after identity fraud" description: "Tell the lenders first, then consider a Protective Registration with Cifas and a Notice of Correction on your report. Report it to Action Fraud for a crime…" canonical: "https://totalcreditcheck.co.uk/help-centre/guides/after-identity-fraud-what-to-do/" topic: "Fraud and notices" published: 2026-08-25 updated: 2026-08-25 author: "Katie Callaghan" publisher: "Total Credit Check (Piomes Ltd)" --- # What to do after identity fraud Identity fraud can happen to anyone, including people who've taken every precaution. Here's the order to work in. **The short version:** tell the lenders first, then consider a Protective Registration with Cifas and a Notice of Correction on your report. Report it to Action Fraud for a crime reference number — lenders often need one before they'll remove fraudulent entries. ## 1. Tell the lenders Start here, because the lenders are the only people who can remove fraudulent information from your credit report. If your details have been given to a lender fraudulently, tell them. It's crucial they stop any activity happening without your permission, and they'll normally have a dedicated team for exactly this. If they agree the information relates to fraud, they should be able to remove it from your report. A crime reference number from Action Fraud helps considerably here, which is why step 4 is worth doing early even though it's listed last. One thing to know so you don't waste time: **the credit reference agencies normally can't intervene where fraud is suspected.** They report what lenders send them. The lender has to be the one to act. ## 2. Consider Protective Registration [Cifas](https://totalcreditcheck.co.uk/help-centre/glossary/#cifas) is a fraud prevention organisation. Buy a [Protective Registration](https://totalcreditcheck.co.uk/help-centre/glossary/#protective-registration) from them and they'll add a marker to your credit report. Cifas members then have to take extra steps to verify your identity if an [application](https://totalcreditcheck.co.uk/help-centre/glossary/#application-search) arrives in your details. There's a fee — £30, covering two years. It won't affect your credit score. It will add a little time to any application you make, which is the trade-off for the protection. [Cifas markers on your credit report](https://totalcreditcheck.co.uk/help-centre/guides/cifas-markers-explained/) covers how they work in more detail. ## 3. Consider a Notice of Correction A [Notice of Correction](https://totalcreditcheck.co.uk/help-centre/glossary/#notice-of-correction) is a note of up to 200 words that you can add to your report, explaining anything a lender might question. For fraud specifically, you can add a **password** to the Notice. Any application made in your details then has to be processed manually, with the password supplied, before it can be approved. That's a strong barrier. Be deliberate about it, though. A Notice forces every application to be handled manually — including your own — which slows them all down. [Notices of correction and dispute](https://totalcreditcheck.co.uk/help-centre/guides/notices-of-correction-and-dispute/) sets out both sides. ## 4. Report it to Action Fraud Report the fraudulent activity to Action Fraud and they should give you a **crime reference number**. That number is what you provide to any lender reporting information on your credit report that relates to identity theft. It's often what turns a slow conversation into a quick one, so it's worth getting early rather than last. ## Staying in control afterwards Three habits reduce the chance of it happening again, and make it obvious sooner if it does. **Check your credit report regularly.** Nothing should come as a shock. If you know what's normally on your file, anything new stands out immediately. **Secure your personal information.** Strong, unique passwords, multi-factor authentication wherever it's available, and care with documents like passports and bank statements. **Watch address links and searches.** These usually reach your credit report **first**, before any account taken out fraudulently appears. If there's something you don't recognise, contact the lender involved directly. [Linked addresses explained](https://totalcreditcheck.co.uk/help-centre/guides/linked-addresses-explained/) and [the searches on your credit report](https://totalcreditcheck.co.uk/help-centre/guides/the-searches-on-your-credit-report/) cover what to look for. ## The key things to remember - Lenders remove fraudulent entries; the credit reference agencies generally can't. - Get a crime reference number from Action Fraud early — lenders often need it. - Protective Registration costs £30 for two years and doesn't affect your score. - A password Notice of Correction is a strong barrier, but slows your own applications too. - Address links and searches are the earliest warning signs on your report. - Regular checking is what makes anything unfamiliar obvious straight away.