sending copies of documents-help please!

czerniacha

Hi,
I have applied for a job offered on a well known website. I got contacted and they ask for a scanned copy of my passport, driving license and national insurance/hmr&c correspondece. It's apparently to check my eligilibility to work in the UK etc. but I'm not really comfortable with it bearing in mind identity theft or whtever else someone could do with those informations...
It's a good offer and I wouldn't like to turn down the opportunity if it's there but is it a common practice that they ask for something like that beforehand? Or is it just scam?

any help will be appreciated

Thanks

Sagz_2

Very common practise, employers have to check you are eligible to work in this country.

DVardysShadow

Do not send this kind of information at the application stage. This is most likely to be a scam.

lynzpower

Yep usually you take along some sort of ID eg passport when you go for the interview or on your first day.

I wouldnt be sending it before or during application to be honest .

Sagz_2

Sorry, read the first post wrong - thought OP had been offered the job.

scheming_gypsy

Who was it who requested the information? I've had agencies ask for it before the interview stage as it enables them to make sure they're sending people to the interview who are eligible to do the job.

askabigail

It is possibly because OP is registering with them as a client and as such they will have to do anti-money laundering checks as required by law.

scheming_gypsy wrote: »

Who was it who requested the information? I've had agencies ask for it before the interview stage as it enables them to make sure they're sending people to the interview who are eligible to do the job.

scheming_gypsy

yep, so it's not always a scam.

westv

askabigail wrote: »

It is possibly because OP is registering with them as a client and as such they will have to do anti-money laundering checks as required by law.

What anti money laundering? There are no funds being transferred.
The most an agency will ask for prior to any job offer is a passport (unless they are employing you). Indeed, there is much to say for the opinion that the only company that should need ID from you is the one that finally employs you.
The request is so obviously a scam.
OP name and shame who is asking for the info.

scheming_gypsy

westv wrote: »

The request is so obviously a scam.
.

i must have been scammed then when the agency wanted my details in advance for a contract with the police...

saintjammyswine

If it is an agency then the person who signs you up can be fined personally if they havent done the right checks on your right to work and you are later found to be working illegally. I believe this fine can be up to £5000 for each occurrance. If it is an employer then the fines are higher (up to £10,000 and possible prison) per occurance but the company is liable.