Re: First time applicants passport interviews
 

If it isn't foolproof but causes more hassle for legitimate applicants then what is the point? The fraudulent applicants are always going to be willing to go the extra mile because they need it more.

Re: First time applicants passport interviews
 

C'est la vie R1ch - sadly virtually everything we do is more complex, onerous and expensive than would be the case if everyone was honest. The majority always suffer due to the minority.

Found this btw:

http://www.passport.gov.uk/downloads...interviews.pdf

Re: First time applicants passport interviews
 

Assume that the interviewer has done a small amount of research and the applicant (35 years old for example) seems to have been born in Bolton but moved away to Hull when he was 16.

A well researched fraudster might possibly be able to know that old address however if faced with the question ' what area of Bolton did you live in' would probably not be able to answer.

They might also have access to marriage certificates that show your fathers occupation. If he was a Electrician they could ask did you ever consider becoming a Doctor like your father? A non fraudulent applicant would answer, I think you have it wrong my father was/ is an electrician. A fraudulent applicant might be caught out there.

Simple questions that will easily identify a few fraudsters though I doubt it will be in this type of format.

Re: First time applicants passport interviews
 

The IND have access to all database/information available about you so they will ask questions that only you, apparently, will be able to answer such as:

your bank account number & approximate balance
credit card provider
your mobile phone provider
who supplies gas/electricity/water
any county court judgements, when and how much
any outstanding loans/mortgages, the company and balance
what schools/colleges/unis you attended
your children/parents/brothers/sisters, birthdays, weddings
previous addresses over ten years or so
if you are a member of a professional institute, when you passed the exams and reg number
driving licence number and date passed

The plan is that they will eventually be taking your fingerprints, iris scans and DNA to register onto the new ID Card database as and when passports come up for renewal, and then when the database is compulsory.

The gov has a data sharing arrangement, although it seems to be only one-way, with the USA (not just for our citizens travelling to the USA), and the EU is currently approving the same for all EU countries.

This may not worry you, but the other "arrangement" in place is for inter-country extradition warrants. The country that wants to "nab" you only has to put in a request to the local police and they have no choice but to arrest you and take you to a court. The court has no power to examine the evidence against you - they must approve the extradition if all the proper paperwork has been filled in. So if your fingerprint looks a little bit like one that the american police have found at a crime scene, then beware!

I know everyone says "If you've got nothing to hide, you've got nothing to worry about" - but all this makes me a bit nervous.

Re: First time applicants passport interviews
 

That assumes that the interviewers will have plenty of time to research backgrounds and come up with things like area names but the numbers in the document above don't work out that way. Even if you include all of the managers as well as the interviewers and assume that they all work a full 35 hour week (even though it says that most positions are actually part time) 52 weeks a year (although obviously it won't be with sick/holiday/parental leave and training etc) and they all do nothing other than these interviews then they get about 10mins to research and do the paperwork for each case. They're not going to be able to dig up much of use at all in that time and really, by the time you factor the other things in it looks like they'll struggle to fit in all of the interviews, let alone any research.

Re: First time applicants passport interviews
 

[QUOTE=r1ch;34333180]That assumes that the interviewers will have plenty of time to research backgrounds and come up with things like area names but the numbers in the document above don't work out that way. Even if you include all of the managers as well as the interviewers and assume that they all work a full 35 hour week (even though it says that most positions are actually part time) 52 weeks a year (although obviously it won't be with sick/holiday/parental leave and training etc) and they all do nothing other than these interviews then they get about 10mins to research and do the paperwork for each case. They're not going to be able to dig up much of use at all in that time and really, by the time you factor the other things in it looks like they'll struggle to fit in all of the interviews, let alone any research.[/QUOTE]

Well I guess that ultimately depends on how good their systems are and how competent the staff employed.

Re: First time applicants passport interviews
 

It's governmental bureaucracy so yes, we're screwed.

I guess that in a few years time we'll all get to do this when the ID cards come out.

Re: First time applicants passport interviews
 

Probably :mad: but all they're interested in is appearing to be tough on such things.

If it all goes pear shaped the taxpayer will foot the additional bill as always :(

Re: First time applicants passport interviews
 

Oh this is just great [/sarcasm] my other half is going to spain for 6 weeks at the weekend as part of her uni course. I've been tempted to go out there in a few weeks time to see her for a few days, however I dont have a passport of my own and never have (used to be on parents one many years ago) as I
havent left the country for some 12 years now.

It was going to be touch and go to get one in time on the old system (being holiday time partly) as I cant afford to apply until early next month anyway.

If I now have to take time off work to goto an interview somewhere then its just not going to happen :( as I wouldnt book any flights / ferries until I had the passport in my hand and to get good deals i'd have to book them abit in advance.

Seems like leaving the country is going to have to wait till yet another year

Re: First time applicants passport interviews
 

At 17 would I need to go for an interview? I mean I can't even afford to survive for a week so getting to somewhere an hour away could be a problem. I think I'll need to buy one before prices go up you see.

Re: First time applicants passport interviews
 

No worries Al' Jamelijama - you'll get one easy.... :erm: :D

Re: First time applicants passport interviews
 

Well, since I'm guessing it means one hour by car, it could take me a lot longer to get there since I don't drive.

Re: First time applicants passport interviews
 

Before I decided to leave the rat race I worked for a government debt agency for some years and I could get all your addresses, employment details, Tax and sickness/unemployment records in a matter of minutes by just knowing your national insurance number. If I only knew your date of birth and address it could take a few minutes more.
As I had access to so much data the safe guards in place to stop unauthorised trawling for confidential information were strictly imposed but the portals to access the data held by different government agencys have been in place for some time.

Re: First time applicants passport interviews
 

Bloody big brother and labour AGAIN !!!!!!! ARRRGGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!


My daughter is in the process of renewing her passport and she has to have an interview.

The only threat to the country from her is her cooking, and I can vouch for her being born "n" bred in England.

Whats next????? Health and safty police fining you for farting in a public place???????

Re: First time applicants passport interviews
 

Why does she have to go for an interview if she is renewing? At present it is only for first time applicants?