sending copies of documents-help please!

westv

scheming_gypsy wrote: »

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

You were offered the job? The OP hasn't even been offered the job yet. The only document needed to confirm eligibility is a passport. The other information requested is superfluous.

scheming_gypsy

Nope, they needed to check details before putting people in for interview. Also as I'd applied for a job through them I was registering with the agency; if you went into an agency to register you'd have to take details in as well.

westv

scheming_gypsy wrote: »

Nope, they needed to check details before putting people in for interview. Also as I'd applied for a job through them I was registering with the agency; if you went into an agency to register you'd have to take details in as well.

You were asked for passport + driving licence + NI/hmr&c correspondece?
Although presumably the role was subject to extra checks. The OP doesn't make it clear whether the role they were looking at would have needed similar extra checks.

I've had a (quick) scan of the legislation and as far as I can see it only relates to employers. Even if an agency asks for a passport (and not all of them do) an employer still needs to make its own checks.

scheming_gypsy

I'll have to check my sent items when i get home for info on what i've been asked for / sent. Often passport, driving license and possibly copy of bills to say i live where I do. Can't remember fully as there's a mix of information from agencies before i got the role, after, and then all sorts of other things where i've had to send them off.
But a few do ask for different things when you apply, pretty sure it's because they put you on their books so if you don't get that role they'll see if you match anything else

Pleonastic_Proletariat

Okay first of all let me say I am no expert...

Although I do work for a recruitment agency and we do ask for these things up front if the person will be undertaking temporary work. If the person is not based close to our office we often will get them to scan and email them to us...so it is not always a scam.

However for a permanent role we just check eligibility to work in the UK, training and work history to determine suitability for the role. Normally its on offer of a job that NI and other such details would be taken by the employer not the agency.

Hope this helps! Your right to be cautious because you never know what sort of scams people are playing.

liney

It is good practice to ask for proof of elegibility to work from everyone at application stage because there is then no scope for racial discrimination accusations.

Also, it isn't very productive to go through an interview process, references etc only to find out the person you would like to employ is not actually allowed to work.

However, your Passport/Euro ID card OR full length birth certificate plus proof of NI are what are generally required (yes I know there are other combos but they are more complicated), not both and not a driving license. Is it a driving job? Is it in the financial sector? Is the employer a well known employer?

scooby088

I have always pondered this question of identification, only thing in date i have got is a birth certificate, my passport is about four years out of date and my photo card driving licence is about 3 years out of date. So how would people without those forms of I.D. get on. Just be wary when sending anything via email.

tyllwyd

I originally thought you said you'd applied for a job offered by a well-known website - but reading it again, it says you've applied for a job offered on a well-known website. For me, a lot would depend on the identity of the company that is offering the job - is it a national company or agency, and if not, have you checked it out at all?

bevanuk

What are they going to do with a copy of your passport? Nothing, it wouldn't be clear enough to forge.
With your national insurance, are they going to pay more NI in for you? Great thank them.

If recruiting permanent employees we take copies of ID before they are interviewed normally when they arrive but for remote locations it is done on e-mail. This confirms eligibility to work and stops it being rushed during the 'hiring' process.

If you refuse then you will probably have volunteered yourself out of the application process.

czerniacha

OMG thanks for all the replies!

so: it's supposed to be a recruitment agency and they ask for the copies to be able to proceed with the application, the next stage should be an interview... The only problem is I can't seem to identify the agency... I mean I got the name etc. but when I google it's not all straight forward... Anyone heard of Brightstar Recruitment? They gave a London address where I could sent the copies if I can't email them...

yes, it's a driving job so I can understand the DL request, the third request is to confirm NI number...

I guess I'll give it a go then...