“I can’t fault Zinc really, it’s been a seamless process. We don’t even have to think about it really, which is a good thing.”
People Operations Specialist
Cifas checks
Fraud prevention is top of mind for financial institutions. Now you can confidently make senior hires with Zinc’s Cifas Insider Threat Database (ITD) check, which protects your organisation from fraud, dishonest actions, and false employment applications.
Trusted & loved by
Why use Zinc to run a Cifas check?
Cifas checks are a government recognised way to prevent fraud from occurring within the UK financial services industry. With 32% more insider threat cases filed since 2024, checking your candidates is more important than ever. Zinc brings more security measures to your fingertips with our multiway integration between the Cifas Insider Threat Database (ITD) and your ATS.
"Using Zinc has been game changing, consistently taking away the manual aspects of background checks and allowing me to focus on other aspects of my role."
Usman Musajee
People Experience Coordinator
Benefits of Zinc’s Cifas checks
Save time
Results delivered straight to your ATS
Recruiters who switch from manually checking the Cifas ITD to using Zinc’s Cifas check save around 30 minutes per candidate, and often one to two days on overall turnaround time.
Improve compliance
Government and Cifas approved
Cifas is a Specified Anti-Fraud Organisation and charity, which means they’re trusted by the UK government to help you protect your staff, company, and customers. Plus, Zinc's Cifas checks are a key step in complying with SMCR requirements.
Reduce risk
One process, one place
Internal fraud rarely makes headlines or results in a criminal record, but its consequences are severe. Zinc Cifas checks give you instant results, reduces the risk of manual error, and provides a consistent audit trail, even when you’re hiring non-stop.
How Zinc’s Cifas checks work
Zinc's Cifas checks make FCA compliance simpler. Here's how:
Zinc collects candidate consent and disclosure digitally.
Zinc reuses candidate information collected from other checks, such as Zinc references checks, to instantly search for the candidate in the Cifas Insider Threat Database. The reused candidate information includes: full name, email, date of birth, 5 years address history, and a document reference number, such as a passport or driving license.
Zinc records any matches directly in your ATS and the Zinc platform for easy reference.
FAQs
Find answers to common questions about our Cifas checks.
What is Cifas?
Cifas is the UK’s largest cross-sector fraud-sharing network. Its Insider Threat Database (IDT) is shared by more than 500 UK-leading member organisations to flag individuals involved in internal misconduct or who are vulnerable to impersonation.
What does the Insider Threat Database reveal?
Membership organisations submit information to the ITD, flagging if a candidate has committed internal fraud and poses a risk to your business. It also identifies if a candidate has been impersonated, which could signal a compromised identity. Cifas collects a range of cases, including:
- False Employment Application: Misrepresentation by successful or unsuccessful applicants
- Account Misconduct: Abusing internal access for unauthorised changes
- Bribery: Accepting or offering bribes, including to public officials
- Unlawful Use of Data: Stealing, sharing, or misusing personal or commercial data
- Internal Theft or Deception: Submitting false expenses, bonuses, or payroll fraud
Can’t I just run a criminal background check to look for fraud?
When you run checks on a candidate through the ITD, you learn if another Cifas member has submitted a claim about them. Claims show if a candidate has a history of behaviours that put your company at risk. This includes dishonest activity that may have gone unreported to the authorities, such as a false expense or overtime submission.
How does the setup process for Cifas checks work?
Set up Zinc’s Cifas check in the same way you set up an integration.
- Save your membership ID: Go to the new membership integrations section of company settings within the Zinc platform
- Request permission from Cifas: Ask Cifas to give Zinc search permissions on their account (Hot tip: use the draft email we’ve provided)
- Hang tight: Cifas will email you and Zinc with confirmation, then we’ll turn the check on for you
Who is Zinc’s Cifas check for?
Only Cifas members can search the Insider Threat Database and turn on this check within their Zinc platform. To become a Cifas member, join here.
Can a candidate be notified about Cifas checks or results?
If a match is found, it is the responsibility of the company to reach out to the candidate to discuss it. You agree to this responsibility when you become a Cifas member.
How long does a Cifas check take?
Results are instant, which helps you better assess candidate risk and streamline your hiring process.
What should a recruiter do if they get a match?
- Copy the fraud ID using our handy copy button on the candidate report
- Log into the Fraud Investigation Database (FIND portal) within Cifas and use the fraud ID to search
- View the details of the fraud case
Loved by customers and candidates
“I can’t shout about Zinc enough, because it really has revolutionised the way we work. The level of time and effort we need to put in has dramatically reduced.”
Talent Partner
“With Zinc we click a button, and it just runs.”
HR Operations Specialist
“Zinc almost feels too good to be true, it's so affordable, smart, quick, and hassle-free.”
Talent Lead
“It's quick and it just happens.”
Compliance coordinator
“We can click a button and everything is done for us, we will never go back to manual reference checking.”
Talent acquisition manager
