National Insurance Number of Finger Prints

Ronale

the universal benefit - good idea- how about using finger prints for identification instead of the national insurance number. you would save millions on fraud, if people have nothing to hide they, only the ones who are scamming the system could object to this and if they refuse then no benefits. Of course, the security services, police and anyother department would not be allowed to use the data.

MrsManda

Ronale wrote: »

the universal benefit - good idea- how about using finger prints for identification instead of the national insurance number. you would save millions on fraud, if people have nothing to hide they,ow only the ones who are scamming the system could object to this and if they refuse then no benefits. Of course, the security services, police and anyother department would not be allowed to use the data.

Just some of the problems with using finger prints:

Security:
How do you prove you are who you are prior to being fingerprinted?

What happens if the computer database gets hacked/data gets lost?

Do you really think if this data was collected it would not be able to be used by the police/security services etc...? Not even in 'matters of national security'?

Applications:
Given all the things your N.I. number is used for, are you going to be happy with your employer having your fingerprints so they can ensure your tax/N.I. etc... is creditted to the right person?

You'd need to apply for all benefits, in person will cost a fortune and delay the process somewhat - though would provide extra jobs

Much fraud isn't claiming you are someone you're not, but rather that your circumstances are not what you say they are. Finger prints wouldn't solve this issue.

Jowo_2

This should be moved to Discussion Time.

In the US, some states did bring in much tougher ID checks (including, I think, finger prints) which did cut down on fraud.

However, I assume most benefit fraud (which costs less than the amount of administrative errors by DWP staff and systems) isn't about false identities and duplicate claims but is about claiming for things a genuine person isn't entitled to. Therefore, the cost to implement will be more than the savings, plus there are terrible civil liberties issues when a benefit system is built on an assumption of criminality.

Tankrizzo_2

Sorry, I don't want my fingerprints held on file by the government, no matter for what purpose.

Governments and their motives come and go but databases remain.

cit_k

Ronale wrote: »

the universal benefit - good idea- how about using finger prints for identification instead of the national insurance number. you would save millions on fraud, if people have nothing to hide they, only the ones who are scamming the system could object to this and if they refuse then no benefits. Of course, the security services, police and anyother department would not be allowed to use the data.

How are they going to take your fingerprint when you ring up the benefit line?