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AIBU?

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Original poster

To be reluctant to provide fingerprints for this reason?

142 replies

averystrangeletter · 06/09/2024 18:39

A bit puzzled and confused about this.

I subscribe to the update service for the DBS. Received this letter.

As part of your subscription we continually check the police national computer (PNC) and have found the record of a person with similar identify details to your own. This does not mean that this PNC record belongs to you, however, we need to confirm that this is not the case. To do this, we need to compare your fingerprints with those held on the PNC record.

There is more, but that’s the important part.

I know everyone will say scam but I’m as sure as I can be that it isn’t. Completely baffled and not entirely comfortable with it.

OP posts:
RadioWhatsNew · 06/09/2024 18:56

I used to process DBS, it's not a scam. Basically there will be someone that has a similar name and date of birth as you that has a criminal record. In those circumstances it's usually someone that has several aliases and one is similar to you and they can't rule you out as being this person. As there are fingerprints on file they would ask you to provide yours for comparison.

Normally if you agree you will be asked to attend a police station to have them taken, and once it's established that you are not the one with the criminal record your prints are destroyed but a note would be kept on file so if you need DBS again you shouldn't have to go through the process and can be eliminated right away

Original poster
averystrangeletter · 06/09/2024 18:56

stripybobblehat · 06/09/2024 18:53

It's easy to put an address on a bit of paper.

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But what would the point be of getting me to send fingerprints in to a legitimate address is my point? Smile

Cardi the whole letter is asking me to provide my fingerprints!

OP posts:
cardibach · 06/09/2024 18:54

How is it asking you to provide the fingerprints?

stripybobblehat · 06/09/2024 18:53

averystrangeletter · 06/09/2024 18:47

It is the DBS address on the letter.

It's easy to put an address on a bit of paper.

Bambooshoot · 06/09/2024 18:52

Hopefully there is a contact number or email on the letter, contact them and request an in- person appointment maybe? If you are there with your ID it would be quite simple to prove you are not this “other person” and you could ask them what on earth was going on? Much easier than letters/emails/texts back and forth, though I know it is an absolute pain to have to take a day to sort it out.

Original poster
averystrangeletter · 06/09/2024 18:51

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

No, that wasn’t my point. Rather, that it is unlikely a scammer is residing at the DBS HQ, so any info I send goes there.

OP posts:
Original poster
averystrangeletter · 06/09/2024 18:50

Spenditlikebeckham · 06/09/2024 18:48

Ring them first...

There isn’t a phone no provided. I have been wondering if it’s a scam but I really don’t think that it is.

It just seems a bit strange.

OP posts:
coupleperfect · 06/09/2024 18:49

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

coupleperfect · 06/09/2024 18:48

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Spenditlikebeckham · 06/09/2024 18:48

Ring them first...

Original poster
averystrangeletter · 06/09/2024 18:48

It says ‘person with similar identity details to your own.’

OP posts:
Original poster
averystrangeletter · 06/09/2024 18:47

It is the DBS address on the letter.

OP posts:
Bambooshoot · 06/09/2024 18:47

Did they actually say “similar identify details”? Because that would surely be a scam when the term would be “similar identifying details” or “similar identity details”. If they can’t get the basic language correct I would assume it is fishing. Tell them to get lost.

BobbyBiscuits · 06/09/2024 18:44

Contact the DBS via their own website, not via the contacts on the letter.
I can't say I've heard of this. But to be honest if it is legit I'd see how it could be relevant in a safeguarding regard. Though obviously offering your fingerprints to the police database when you've not been arrested or requested to by the police to aid an investigation does seem a bit too much. I guess check the legitimacy then express concerns or refuse if you are opposed.

mushpush · 06/09/2024 18:41

They do ask for fingerprints sometimes - depends if your identity can't be confirmed / disproved down the usual routes.

If you don't want to provide them that's up to you, but you might not get your clearance!

Original poster
averystrangeletter · 06/09/2024 18:41

I’m fairly certain it isn’t.

OP posts:
Monkeysatonthewall · 06/09/2024 18:40

Sounds like a scam.

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