JSA and email

Kirito

I don't usually post(hence my non existant post count) but I was asked for my email at my last signing on appointment. They didn't ask me for my password, but I wouldn't put it past some advisors there to try and take advantage.

Muttleythefrog

sniggings wrote: »

Thanks for posting, I am amazed that so many on here are thinking I have made this up, if I were to make up a lie I would hope I could come up with something a bit better than this.

I have to admit that my instinct was that it was fabrication or misunderstanding... even despite my quite obvious contempt for the activities and skills and procedures pertaining to the DWP and its staff. Based on the other confirmations of similar independently it does seem to be an issue... I'm genuinely surprised that any person, nevermind adult working in an administrative customer facing role, could conceivably think it acceptable to have control of a customer's email account unless they were involved in official criminal investigation or were party to administrating that account. I definitely would report such incidents... and I would be tempted to go directly to the police (or press!) if it seems institutional.

sniggings

Muttleythefrog wrote: »

I have to admit that my instinct was that it was fabrication or misunderstanding... even despite my quite obvious contempt for the activities and skills and procedures pertaining to the DWP and its staff. Based on the other confirmations of similar independently it does seem to be an issue... I'm genuinely surprised that any person, nevermind adult working in an administrative customer facing role, could conceivably think it acceptable to have control of a customer's email account unless they were involved in official criminal investigation or were party to administrating that account. I definitely would report such incidents... and I would be tempted to go directly to the police (or press!) if it seems institutional.

I think it is not helping that I am coming across as not too concerned about being asked for the password, but having read people on here saying they had to show their email applications to the adviser on their mobile phone, I made a Jobsearch email account when I first signed on as I would not be happy showing non jobsearch emails to the DWP, saying that though even giving a jobsearch email password to the DWP would be not something I would be happy to do as it would be under my name and god knows what someone could do or access with it and me be liable.

john539

Tygermoth wrote: »

I was asked for my email password on my last attendance. Like the OP I am a newish JSA claimant and classed as disabled (though I don’t have a specialist adviser)

I refused as though I have nothing to hide in relation to my job search. I am very proactive and had interviews lined up however banking information and other personal documents also reside in this account. Also I felt it breaks the T&C of the account to share the password with another.

As I agreed to print out the relevant emails and bring to a future appointment the advisor was happy. He also advised it was to do with a new program. So maybe it’s a training issue and the advisers getting the wrong end of the stick?

I am due at the JC today so I will ask them.

If this is true, it is shocking, a serious security risk & data protection breach.

It is a step away from reporting to police, as persons who have password can take control of account & use in identity theft.

john539

miduck wrote: »

I doubt very much that sniggings will be making a complaint, he is clearly making this up. He goes from saying the Jobcentre are setting up a bank of computers for this purpose, to then agreeing it may be a single errant advisor - it can't be both! Having browsed some of his other posts he does appear to be rather generous with the truth.

Of course, if it is true, he can request that the JCP put the instruction in writing. He can then post the letter on the forum (blanking out any personal details).

Kirito wrote: »

I don't usually post(hence my non existant post count) but I was asked for my email at my last signing on appointment. They didn't ask me for my password, but I wouldn't put it past some advisors there to try and take advantage.

A new online service called Universal Jobmatch is starting later this year which will replace the old Jobcentre website.

They probably want email addresses & people to sign up to it.

That may explain the bank of computers, as they may want people without email addresses to set one up.

Kirito

Lets see. If someone was to have my email and password they could:

Reset my credit card login

Reset my paypal login (LINKED TO MY CARDS BY THE WAY)

Reset all my game accounts logins

I might as well go ahead and say they can reset everything I signed up to with my email address because they actually could. As well as spend all my money.

By the way, thats the typical user. I spread my "accounts" across several emails and use different passwords, but your typical computer user doesn't.

Even more worrying is that someone who has access to all my personal data i.e. the "advisers" at the job centre. Take for example if my credit card company wanted to verify it was actually me sending the request for a new password, they might ask for my DOB.. The employees at the job centre can find THIS so they would have no problem.

But regardless, these employees should not be asking for peoples passwords. Whoever this happened to needs to take this up with SOMEONE because it is wrong and as far as I'm concerned, illegal.

busy_mom_2

I'm wondering, there is a new job search site being rolled out, you have to log in and complete your job search, apply for jobs and check responses. Your adviser can put suitable jobs in your 'basket' and check you job search and applications. Advisers will need a password for this but not for e-mail accounts.

Kirito

topaziem wrote: »

So you have no problem with those Authorites that already have access to it without your premission?

The sooner you realise that there are no secrets in the digital world the better. Even your local council has powers to access your email account legally if it wishes.

Ok.

You are basically "ok" with Job centre Plus advisers having peoples Email and passwords. Since JCP advisers are just everyday citizens like me and you. you won't mind handing over your email login and passwords. (Oh, and not just some email and password you made up just now)

Feel free to send me a PM with those details.

john539

busy_mom wrote: »

I'm wondering, there is a new job search site being rolled out, you have to log in and complete your job search, apply for jobs and check responses. Your adviser can put suitable jobs in your 'basket' and check you job search and applications. Advisers will need a password for this but not for e-mail accounts.

So do they have people's permission to do this ?

And does this assume everyone can use a computer & has regular internet access ?

busy_mom_2

john539 wrote: »

So do they have people's permission to do this ?

And does this assume everyone can use a computer & has regular internet access ?

Yes they will need people permission to do this, but it is not the password to your own personal email account. It is your own job search library. People can use work clubs and local libraries, most JCP have a computer and free internet access people have phones etc... How are people looking for work now?

Only difference is you won't have to write it down and argue that people haven't done enough to jobsearch. Time and time again people look in the papers and go to the local JCP twice a week, not enough. If people are really looking for work they log onto sites everyday, if you are really looking then why would you want to hide it?