Fraud risk in police check

While I agree wholeheartedly with Paul Clitheroe’s comments about identity fraud (In your Interest, August), I would like to add some further information. I have previously worked in banking and have seen the result of identity fraud and I am very concerned about this.

I was recently asked to apply for a police check to work voluntarily with children. After completing the paperwork I was asked to supply my ID and take it to the local police station for them to verify. They copied my ID and attached it to my application. I asked where my ID was going and was told it would go to police admin so my application may be assessed. I assumed my ID would be sighted only and something on the form signed but not full copies of my ID sent through internal mail and handled and sighted by many anonymous people along the way. I objected but was told there is no choice. I then phoned SA Police liaison, who told me that they get thousands of applications a year and don’t have time to do anything illegal with my ID, so I was worrying about nothing. I mentioned ID fraud and privacy, etc and was brushed off as paranoid.

The ID sent with these applications is enough for someone to assume my identity and commit fraudulent transactions without requiring anything else. I don’t think this system is a good one and it leaves thousands of us in a position to have our identity compromised.

Love the magazine. Wendy, email