Gherson succeeds in removing CIFAS maker in client’s name

We are receiving a growing number of requests for legal assistance from individuals who have been adversely affected by a CIFAS marker in circumstances where, according to them, there has been no wrongdoing or breach of any applicable terms or regulations. In these circumstances banks may go as far as closing the accounts of the individuals affected.

Individuals who find themselves in this situation are seeking our advice on how to remove a wrongly placed CIFAS marker and how to potentially challenge the bank’s decision to close their account.

In some scenarios, a CIFAS marker can be added wrongfully, and this unfair situation can have hugely detrimental, wide-ranging and complex consequences for the individual in question.

In this article we discuss a recent case in which we were able to secure the expeditious removal of a CIFAS marker placed in our client’s name.

Gherson’s recent success

Our team was approached by an individual who believed that a CIFAS marker had been wrongly applied against their name. After taking the client’s instructions, we made immediate representations to the financial institution that had imposed it. Shortly afterwards, the financial institution replied confirming that the CIFAS marker had been removed with immediate effect and agreed that it should never have been applied in the circumstances of the case.

Gherson managed to achieve this result quickly and efficiently, allowing our client to move on with his life unhindered by the imposition of a CIFAS marker and the devastating consequences this could have caused.

What can I do to challenge a wrongfully imposed CIFAS marker?

If you have always acted in full compliance with the relevant terms and conditions attaching to your bank account and all other applicable legal rules and regulations, then you should have a good basis from which to challenge a bank’s decision to implement a CIFAS marker.

A strong challenge will often involve demonstrating – through evidence – that you have not breached the bank’s terms and conditions or any relevant rules and requirements, and that all transactions were performed at all times in full compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

In our previous blogs we examined what a CIFAS marker is and how to get it removed and also what to do if a CIFAS marker has been wrongfully imposed. In addition, we explored the ways in which crypto-related CIFAS markers can be challenged.

NAVIGATING FINANCIAL INSTITUTION-RELATED CHALLENGES

What can I do to challenge a personal and/or business bank account closure?

There is a growing number of individuals who have been “de-banked” in circumstances where they have complied fully with the relevant terms of their bank account and all other applicable rules and regulations.

We have previously written about how these issues are not limited to political figures in the UK and affect many thousands of lawful individual and business customers every year. Recent bank account closures have exposed the delicate balance many financial institutions and their individual and business customers have to strike in order to gain and maintain access to basic banking services.

To assist those whose accounts have been closed, Gherson’s financial crime, investigations and regulatory team have published the following articles:

• Why has my bank account been closed?
• Why has my business bank account been closed?
• 140,000 SMEs “de-banked” last year – why could I have been “de-banked”?
• What are the proposed new laws aimed at preventing “de-banking”?
• Why the proposed new laws aimed at preventing “de-banking” do not go far enough
• Am I entitled to a basic bank account in the UK?
• How to challenge crypto-related bank account closures
• “De-banking” and crypto – will the landscape be positively changed by the introduction of new rules for both?

Adverse information on compliance databases

Many individuals contact us for legal assistance with removing incorrect and/or inaccurate data held about them on compliance databases. This data can lead to adverse effects on their relationship with financial institutions, resulting in issues such as bank account closures or difficulties with opening a bank account.

In our previous blogs we have given basic overviews of the main functions of compliance databases like World-Check and how to correct personal information on such databases.

How Gherson can assist

Gherson’s financial crime, investigations and regulatory team are highly experienced in providing assistance with frozen or closed bank accounts. This includes assisting clients with submitting requests under data protection legislation, otherwise known as a Data Subject Access Request, to ascertain what information banks and other financial institutions may be holding on them. Our team then analyse the responses from the financial institution to understand their decision making and offer assistance with any appropriate challenge.

If you have any questions arising from this blog, please do not hesitate to contact us for advice; send us an email at enquiries@gherson.co.uk or, alternatively, follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn to stay-up-to-date.

The information in this blog is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be comprehensive or to provide legal advice.  Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information and law is current as of the date of publication it should be stressed that, due to the passage of time, this does not necessarily reflect the present legal position.  Gherson accepts no responsibility for loss which may arise from accessing or reliance on information contained in this blog.  For formal advice on the current law please do not hesitate to contact Gherson.  Legal advice is only provided pursuant to a written agreement, identified as such, and signed by the client and by or on behalf of Gherson.

©Gherson 2025