Reply to: Powerchex Application

[darnok]

P.S. Just so you know, their data security policy states that they will hold your data for no longer than 6 months as the information commissioner states that keeping the data any longer than that is not good practice.

How did you come about the figure of 6 months? Is this stated anywhere?

[Gonzo]

Mother's Family Name

Following the Soham murder case, the Home Secretary requested that Sir Michael Bichard lead an independent inquiry into child protection measures, record keeping, vetting and information sharing.

The report was published in June 2004 and 31 recommendations were made. The mother’s family name became a mandatory field as part of our disclosure application process. It emerged that by using his mother’s maiden name, Ian Huntley managed to escape detection from background vetting checks. This was because the surname he provided when applying for his post differed from the surname under which the police held intelligence for him. Since this change was implemented Disclosure Scotland can obtain criminal information held against an applicant using their mother’s maiden name, this information is therefore relevant.

<SHAKES HEAD>

This will be effective. The criminals will not have the wit to use a completely different surname other than their mother's maiden name.

</SHAKES HEAD>

[d000hg]

I've been working for myLtd for years, what agreements existed between myLtd and any of myLtds clients are none of their business or concern. I reported to myself, and would be able to provide a character reference for myself if absolutely neccessary.

How you think it should work, even if you were treated as a 'proper' company, isn't how it does work. In many B2B relationships, a supplier might have to provide this information about the people working on the project. For instance I was involved in a company bidding for a project, as part of the bid they had to name specific people to be on the team so that their skills and experience could be evaluated as part of the bid value. Such individuals could even be interviewed to know the bidder wasn't making it up (this was a government type project).

On the security angle, you asserting or even guaranteeing that your employees are all vetted doesn't mean a whole amount. How does the client know your QA is any good? It's all very well saying "they can sue me if it came to it" but that wouldn't stop the problem existing if someone did breach security... they want to avoid the problem by knowing everyone is checked to their own high standards. If you provide someone who screws them over, someone high up will probably lose their job regardless of any pretty paper promises you supplied.

[shoes]

He said the best advise he could give me is to keep a folder with all invoices/correspondence/emails confirming placements/details of agencies and consultants, in chronological order so that if in the future I am asked by as security/compliance department to confirm my activities for the past 5 years I had documentation as proof. He also said it's a good idea to keep a record of the people who you reported to and before you leave ask if in the future a reference is required whether they would be happy to be contacted.

I've been working for myLtd for years, what agreements existed between myLtd and any of myLtds clients are none of their business or concern. I reported to myself, and would be able to provide a character reference for myself if absolutely neccessary.

[d000hg]

I am actually quite sceptic about this user - CoolHandLuke45.

Note the following:

a. he registered with the site only to share his amazing experience with this company powerchex

b. he said in his first response that he used this forum in the past - so why only registering now?

jackieobrien
Nervous Newbie
Join Date
May 2010
Posts
1

Whereas you seemed to join the forum only to suggest he only joined the forum to say nice things about Powechex.

[threaded]

I am actually quite sceptic about this user - CoolHandLuke45.

Note the following:

a. he registered with the site only to share his amazing experience with this company powerchex

b. he said in his first response that he used this forum in the past - so why only registering now?

c. all of his responses are so sweet to this company and the way he was treated by them

d. he continues to provide "expert" advice on the process, what they do etc. - see his response with the details of the criminal check

I do not have a problem with powerchex but i do smell here something that is not exactly above board!

Any way...

Are you saying he's a shill, and we should work out who the real person is and expose them?

Like what was done with those Labour party supporters posting from Central Office...

Or are you assuming we've already done this and joining in having the little bit of fun with them first?

[jackieobrien]

Who is CoolHandLuke45?

I am actually quite sceptic about this user - CoolHandLuke45.

Note the following:

a. he registered with the site only to share his amazing experience with this company powerchex

b. he said in his first response that he used this forum in the past - so why only registering now?

c. all of his responses are so sweet to this company and the way he was treated by them

d. he continues to provide "expert" advice on the process, what they do etc. - see his response with the details of the criminal check

I do not have a problem with powerchex but i do smell here something that is not exactly above board!

Any way...

[Sysman]

The criminal record check that they carried out is a Basic Disclosure. You can actually obtain the certificate yourself at this website but they do require your mother's family name.

Apply for a disclosure - Disclosure Scotland

Does this mean that your LtdCo could get this report (with you as the employee) and have the paperwork already done for that urgent contract?

[bobspud]

This sort of thing is quite common in Financial Services because of FSA regulation. Actually working for the FSA involves a similar level of vetting.

All I got asked was to fill in a criminal declaration

[CoolHandLuke45]

CoolHandLuke45, I thank you for sharing. Very welcome indeed.

I resent these intrusions.

I am not keen to broadcast very personal data. There is no serious reason to trust any of these jokers. My impression is that they collect every detail with the possibility to enact identity theft / distortion on a large scale.

I dislike this company.

Nobody likes the intrusion factor but having worked pretty much exclusively within financial services over the past 5 years I think it's fair to say that there is going to increase not decrease in background checking and if your not willing to go through the vetting process you may have your contract offer rescinded.

[CoolHandLuke45]

Thanks for taking the time to provide all this information.

However I am not convinced on this point:


I have in the past obtained a Police Certificate from these people ACPO: Police Certificates They do not ask for mother's maiden name and they are the Police.

The criminal record check that they carried out is a Basic Disclosure. You can actually obtain the certificate yourself at this website but they do require your mother's family name.

Apply for a disclosure - Disclosure Scotland


Mother's Family Name

Following the Soham murder case, the Home Secretary requested that Sir Michael Bichard lead an independent inquiry into child protection measures, record keeping, vetting and information sharing.

The report was published in June 2004 and 31 recommendations were made. The mother’s family name became a mandatory field as part of our disclosure application process. It emerged that by using his mother’s maiden name, Ian Huntley managed to escape detection from background vetting checks. This was because the surname he provided when applying for his post differed from the surname under which the police held intelligence for him. Since this change was implemented Disclosure Scotland can obtain criminal information held against an applicant using their mother’s maiden name, this information is therefore relevant.

[LegendsWear7]

CoolHandLuke45, I thank you for sharing. Very welcome indeed.

I resent these intrusions.

I am not keen to broadcast very personal data. There is no serious reason to trust any of these jokers. My impression is that they collect every detail with the possibility to enact identity theft / distortion on a large scale.

I dislike this company.

[AtW]

They do not ask for mother's maiden name and they are the Police.

They probably already know it .

[threaded]

Thanks for taking the time to provide all this information.

However I am not convinced on this point:


I have in the past obtained a Police Certificate from these people ACPO: Police Certificates They do not ask for mother's maiden name and they are the Police.

People with criminal backgrounds often use their mothers maiden name as an alias.

It is fairly common for males born out of wedlock as children to use their mothers maiden name, and when older, as some right of passage thing, i.e they eventually leave home, switch to using their fathers name.

[Gonzo]

Thanks for taking the time to provide all this information.

However I am not convinced on this point:

There were just particular questions on the form which I thought had no relevance to my vetting but after I spoke to Powerchex they explained why they needed them. I have explained the passport copy above but they also asked for my mother's maiden name. Now considering this is used as a security question for things such as online banking I was naturally hesitant but it turns out this piece of information is needed to carry out a criminal records check.

I have in the past obtained a Police Certificate from these people ACPO: Police Certificates They do not ask for mother's maiden name and they are the Police.