Was told, is the past simple version of the passive voice and that means that the situation is finished. So, we might use it in a situation like this: - The action of telling happened a long time ago and the information is well-known. - The telling has no great new impact on what is happening now. Nothing should change. Has been told is the present perfect version of the passive. This means it still has an impact on the present - We are telling about something new and important. - We need the person who has been told to take action and we don't know if they have done it yet. Here is an example I think is clear. Mark is coming to he meeting. he was told about it last week and he confirmed his attendance. hope Mark is coming to the meeting. He has been told about it, but he hasn't confirmed yet..