Rant about CRB - Spelling mistake

flightinfo

I applied for an enhanced CRB as I do volunteer work with children. When I received my certificate, my surname had been spelt incorrectly. Thinking all it would take would be a simple phone call (as I had had to supply copies of my passport and utility bills, they had my N.I. number and maiden number on the form), I did this. I received a letter back with a copy of my application form basically stating that they had issued the certifciate based on the information on the application form. Now, I readily accept that if someone was keying in hundreds of names, the letters could be misread. However, they highlighted 2 different letters to show that they looked the same. No, they don't. I wrote a lengthy email back detailing how the letters differ and also asking how a certificate can be issued to someone who doesn't exist - all the checks would have been carried out under my correct name.

Today received another reply stating they have already looked into this and can't do anything about it. The computer scans the images it sees. They have said I will need to apply again.

In fact, I haven't gone through all the complaints procedure detailed on their website which I will do. In addition, they have not answered my question as to how they can issue a certificate to someone who doesn't exist.

They have not asked to have the certificate returned so do not seem bothered if certificates are used which have false information on them.

If I have to apply again, I assume I will need to pay another fee - a nice little money earner for the CRB. In fact, the organisation I volunteer for paid the fee with the original application but I fail to see why they or I should have to pay again.

Interestingly, having spoken to 3 other people who have had an enhanced CRB check, one of those had a keying error in the address of her workplace. I wonder how common this is.

Rant over.

preable

I think they make alot of mistakes well thats what google says xD

flightinfo

preable wrote: »

I think they make alot of mistakes well thats what google says xD

Yes, I think they do. It's just really annoying that I get the feeling that they just dismiss a complaint without looking at the facts. Even if I reapply there's no guarantee that the computer won't misread what I've written.

peachyprice

Has the organisation you obtained it for refused to accept it with the spelling mistake?

flightinfo

peachyprice wrote: »

Has the organisation you obtained it for refused to accept it with the spelling mistake?

I haven't contacted them yet. When I first received the certificate I spoke to the local borough (which is who the organisation I obtained it for forward it to). They said I needed to deal with the CRB direct. I stupidly assumed it was a keying error which would be quickly resolved. I will contact them but it is now a matter of principle. The fact that the CRB aren't bothered that they have issued a certificate in the wrong name and for which checks can't have been made is really bugging me. It just makes such a mockery of the system.

peachyprice

The system is a mockery anyway, you could get arrested for murdering 3 people the day after it's issued but you've still got a clean CRB in your hand.

Rolandtheroadie

peachyprice wrote: »

The system is a mockery anyway, you could get arrested for murdering 3 people the day after it's issued but you've still got a clean CRB in your hand.

And?????
If you'd murdered them 5 years ago it would be on it. Thats the purpose of it.
It may not be right, it may not be perfect but it's surely better than nothing.

miniemma

scotsman4th wrote: »

And?????
If you'd murdered them 5 years ago it would be on it.

Only if you got caught

nellytheelephant

The company that paid for it will need to contact CRB, and they should redo it. It won’t be reissued as the checks will have been done with the misspelling so will have to start again. CRB don’t see a copy of your passport etc, just the numbers on the back/checklist.

I used to work in a recruitment team and it happened a few times, just a phone call and they will sort it out x

flightinfo

nellytheelephant wrote: »

The company that paid for it will need to contact CRB, and they should redo it. It won’t be reissued as the checks will have been done with the misspelling so will have to start again. CRB don’t see a copy of your passport etc, just the numbers on the back/checklist.

I used to work in a recruitment team and it happened a few times, just a phone call and they will sort it out x

Thanks - I'll give it a try. As mentioned in a previous post, I did speak to the borough who are the countersignatory and they told me to contact CRB. I'll speak to the organisation direct and hopefully get a better response. (I'm not sure whether the organisation or the borough paid for the check.)

sexylulubelle

really not surprised that they make these mistakes when I applied for mine, they actually phoned (my place of work) needing to speak to me so they could confirm my details( this was after filling out the application form and sending all the relevant documents that they required! I was asked to spell my name 4 times ( and its really not a difficult name) so you really have to wonder!