Citizen Card Scam

[Deleted User]

 What do you actually want the card for?
 If so many places don't know what it us will it be any use?  

jasonwatkins

_shel said:

 What do you actually want the card for?
 If so many places don't know what it us will it be any use?  

Well mainly i'd like to try and open an account with Revolut.    I've heard a lot of good things about them and some of their features i'd find quite useful but without a passport or driving licence, it wouldn't be possible so this is my next best option.

And it also kind of feels like one of those things that could be handy to have anyway because I haven't got a passport or driving licence.  

davidmcn

You'll eventually encounter things which require a passport or driving licence though, so you might be better just to stump up the cost for one of those.

jasonwatkins

davidmcn said:

You'll eventually encounter things which require a passport or driving licence though, so you might be better just to stump up the cost for one of those.

I haven't really ever found any need for a passport in the 20 odd years since I last had one other than opening bank accounts.   I'm medically prevented from driving (not that I ever passed my test) so that in itself isn't an option.

I did manage to open a full current account with Santander with the ID that I had at the time, which was handy, but I'd still like to try with Revolut if I can.

CardinalWolsey

It costs the equivalent of £7.55 a year to hold a passport. That's 63p a month. I was going to recommend a provisional driving licence, but if your medical condition prevents you holding even one of those, bite the bullet and get a passport. It's guaranteed to work as a proof of ID for 10 years.

jasonwatkins

Yes, it's "63p a month" if you divide the cost of one by ten years, but nobody really does that.   It's £85 quid up front for something I may use a tiny handful of times.   I'd much rather chance a tenner on getting this card.   

wesleyad

Surely the fact that they actually want some proof of ID is in their favour? That's the point of the card. If they'd just sent a card out with no proof of who you are that would ring more bells and would make me think scam.

jasonwatkins

wesleyad said:

Surely the fact that they actually want some proof of ID is in their favour? That's the point of the card. If they'd just sent a card out with no proof of who you are that would ring more bells and would make me think scam.

I understand the need for proof of ID, but when you're encouraged to apply for this card because you haven't got a passport or driving licence and the first thing they ask you for is a passport or a driving licence then I fail to see the point of the scheme.

Anyway, I've just got off the phone with my GP and they don't do this, so my last throw of the dice will be a trip to a nearby town to ask at the bank and post office there.   I'm not expecting anything but I've got to go there for other reasons anyway so i might as well try while i'm there.

jon81uk

Would this card work for you instead? https://validateuk.co.uk/ Although they also want copies of your documents signed by a referee.

jasonwatkins

jon81uk said:

Would this card work for you instead? https://validateuk.co.uk/ Although they also want copies of your documents signed by a referee.

Funnily enough, I looked at that card last night and emailed them first to clarify the situation and they confirmed, as you have done, the need for signed documents.

And I don't really want to pay another £15 on top of what i've already paid if i can help it.    

I'm ok with it though.   My main reason for trying is to see if I can get this Revolut account, as well as maybe having the card in case i might need it in the future, which is probably unlikely anyway.   So if i don't have any luck in town today then I'll probably just give up and write off the £10 I've paid and accept i'll be "unidentifiable" for the forseeable future.