Guide section
Understanding facility takeover markers
A Facility Takeover marker is filed when an organisation believes an account or financial facility was accessed or controlled by someone without proper authority. With over 38,000 cases annually, this is the second most common marker category on the NFD.
Common causes include SIM swap attacks, phishing scams, social engineering, and account compromise through data breaches.
Guide section
The victim misclassification problem
The most significant issue with Facility Takeover markers is that victims are sometimes incorrectly classified as suspects. If your account was taken over by a fraudster, you are the victim, but some institutions file the marker against you as if you were involved in the takeover.
This is a clear filing error. CIFAS requires that victims be recorded as victims, not suspects. If you have been misclassified, the complaint should focus on reclassification and removal of the adverse marker.
Guide section
Evidence that strengthens your case
- Police or Action Fraud report reference number
- Evidence of how your account was compromised (SIM swap confirmation, phishing emails)
- Proof that you reported the compromise promptly
- Records showing the fraudulent activity was not authorised by you
- Communication with your mobile provider about SIM swap (if applicable)
Key point
If you were the victim of account takeover, having a police report significantly strengthens your complaint. File one if you have not already.
Guide section
How to challenge a facility takeover marker
Where you are the victim of account takeover and the marker has been filed against you as if you were the perpetrator, the complaint should focus specifically on reclassification and removal of the adverse marker. The institution should have recorded you as a victim, not a suspect.
Evidence of how the account was compromised, confirmation from your mobile provider of a SIM swap, phishing communications, or an Action Fraud report all strengthen the position. The earlier you reported the compromise to the institution, the stronger the argument that you acted as a victim would.