Guidance

Working with fraud prevention organisations

Updated 8 May 2024

© Crown copyright 2024

This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.

Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.

This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/frauds-tricks-and-scams/working-with-fraud-prevention-organisations

1. How we share data with financial services organisations

The Home Office shares data on those who are in the UK illegally with financial services organisations so that they can take this information into account when considering applications from people.

This may deny the privileges of the UK to those who are in the country unlawfully and not entitled to them, for example: access to bank accounts, credit cards and mobile phones. Sharing this data will also enable us to access fraud information and alerts posted by the financial services sector to support our own decision-making and enforcement operations.

To allow us to share this data, Home Office application forms contain the following notice:

“I understand that my details may in certain circumstances be passed to fraud prevention agencies to prevent and detect fraud and money laundering. I also understand that such agencies may provide the Home Office with information about me. Further details explaining when information may be passed to or from fraud prevention agencies and how that information may be used can be obtained from GOV.UK.”

This page provides further information about how the Home Office and other organisations process your personal information to prevent and detect fraud and money laundering.

We may share data on those who are in the UK illegally, so that organisations offering financial services or undertaking financial interactions with customers may take this into account when considering applications.

Data sharing will also enable us to access fraud information and alerts posted by fraud prevention organisations to support our decision-making and operational activity; in particular, if false or inaccurate information is provided and an offence is identified, details will be passed to fraud prevention agencies. Law enforcement agencies may access and use this information.

The Home Office and other organisations may also access and use this information to prevent fraud and money laundering, for example, when:

  • checking details on applications for credit and credit related or other facilities
  • managing credit and credit related accounts or facilities
  • recovering debt
  • checking details on proposals and claims for all types of insurance
  • checking details of job applicants and employees

The Home Office and other organisations may access and use the information from other countries recorded by fraud prevention agencies. Please contact us the Border Force Correspondence Team if you want to receive details of the relevant fraud prevention agencies.

Border Force Correspondence Team
Lunar House
11th floor Long Corridor
40 Wellesley Road
Croydon
CR9 2BY
United Kingdom

Back to top