Agency asked me for National Insurance number - are they going to steal my identity?

tobiascurious

It seems a bit strange that they would ask me this before even forwarding my CV to the client

LittleVoice

They want to cover themselves. They want to be able to show they took reasonable steps to ensure that you had the right to work in the UK. I'm surprised they haven't asked for more than that for ID.

Motivatedworkingmum

Recruitment agencies do need to ensure the candidates they take onto their books have the right to work in the UK and would normally take a photocopy of your passport as opposed to just your NI number. However this would take place when you go in to register with them as opposed to just sending your CV to them. Most national agencies have strict guidelines to follow in terms of obtaining proof of identity for auditing purposes and can normally be trusted. Independent agencies ' should' follow guidelines and protect your information in the same way but obviously not knowing the agency cannot advise. I would recommend saying that you are ok to show them your proof of right to work in the UK when you go in to register and will bring along your passport for them to take a copy. This is based on registering for permanent vacancies. Registering for temp work they would need more info e.g. bank details to enable them to pay you.

DCFC79

Surely someone would need more than an NI number to steal your ID, they just want to make sure your eligible to work in the uk

CCFC_80

The problem is many of the agencies that you are registered with who will not be able to ever offer you any work have hundreds of copies of peoples passports, NI numbers and bank account details. Security is a serious issue if anyone was to break into their premises and steal their files and hard drives etc. I have said this before but I believe an agency should only request these details if and when they can put you in a job assignment. It is pointless them having hundreds of peoples personal details if they are never going to offer you any work !

RAS

DCFC79 wrote: »

Surely someone would need more than an NI number to steal your ID, they just want to make sure your eligible to work in the uk

Any employer or agency that thinks that requesting a NI number meets the requirements of a eligibility to work law is in trouble. They face a £10,000 fine per illegal employee. They need your original passport or birth certificate or a list of other less secure documents. But they may be using it as a basic check.

DCFC79

RAS wrote: »

Any employer or agency that thinks that requesting a NI number meets the requirements of a eligibility to work law is in trouble. They face a £10,000 fine per illegal employee. They need your original passport or birth certificate or a list of other less secure documents. But they may be using it as a basic check.

i was only repeating what was already said but yes they should ask for more ID

cazziebo

The agency I worked in took NI numbers because they are unique - names aren't and not everyone wanted to give a date of birth. So it's just a way to register candidates and ensure you don't mix up similar names.

If you were to be placed on a contract with the agency they would then have to do all the other checks (eg photocopy of passport, references etc).

If it's a permanent placement then the onus is on the employer to make the checks.

SandC

Erm, they take your NI number so they can pay you when they get you a placement...............

robin_banks

If you have an NI number you arer eligible to work in the UK, that's all.

cazziebo

The DTI - or whatever they are called now! - won't accept an NI number as proof of eligibility to work. They need to see a passport or birth certificate. (And check agencies very diligently to ensure compliance)