To be reluctant to provide fingerprints for this reason?

[averystrangeletter]

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.

You'd also be surprised how much they know ...

Yeah … I suppose I’m just wondering how do I know that.

It probably is stupid as I wouldn’t hesitate in the case of a crime being investigated. It just seems peculiar that despite my full name (including middle names) address, DOB and previous addresses - oh and photo - they still can’t establish my identity! It doesn’t fill me with confidence!

Yes absolutely they have a database of fingerprints it’s just not the PNC.

right? And what difference does it make to the OP whether they are looking at PC Plod's Big Database of Prints or the PNC? The end result is the same. She gives her prints, they check to see if they match with prints taken from a convicted/charged criminal.

Well, it was a renewal. It was odd that they asked for the date printed on one of the supporting documents but at no point was the document asked for or seen by anyone, and the date was the only identifying feature. Asking for the date on the utility bill, but not who it's with, the address, or for a copy to be sent. I know they know a lot, but I didn't think Mystic Meg was doing the reviewing!

If they destroy the prints afterwards I don’t see it as a problem

Rubbish. It's been badly worded. PNC will indicate if fingerprints are held so they want the OP to provide prints to be compared with the prints held for the person on PNC

Someone who works in DBS has confirmed it's something that's done

I've processed lots of DBS through work and this does happen, it just means someone has the same name as you I think

I really don’t understand why the OP is so worried about having her fingerprints taken.
I didn’t have mine taken as part of my DBS process but I do have a VERY unusual maiden name and my married name is even more unique! However, I had my prints taken as a child when home was burgled (exclusion prints) and as an adult in similar circumstances. Prints for these purposes are NOT stored.

OP, if you want your DBS check processed you’ll have to agree to your prints being checked. If you have no criminal record then you have nothing to worry about.

It's not usual, but it does happen.

Someone could have stolen your identity.........

Just to warn you, like a PP I had a role processing Enhanced DBS Checks for new starters and had this before with one of our new starters and she said she'd had to provide prints every time she moved jobs as she had a similar identity to a criminal (despite a very unusual name!) and they'd take prints at a police station, confirm they weren't a match to the one on record then destroy the prints. So this may keep happening, sorry OP.

OP you should've mentioned the letter had the correct DBS address and contact details in your original post. It's not a scam.

I did say I was certain it wasn’t a scam. I’m not really sure what else I can say!

Yup this. I use the PNC daily at work, and in similar situations when you look at the PNC record it will say “not identical to PNCID 12345 BLOGGS/JOE:01011970}

Maybe you look like them?

YABVVU with all this navel gazing OP, now that we've established it's not a scam.
You either give your fingerprints or lose your DBS. At a police station obviously no sending them in
Simples.
It doesn't matter whether random strangers on the internet agree with you r.e. discomfort. It's not going to change the situation.

They'd need the fingerprints because they won't necessarily have enough identifying data for the known criminal, like all their addresses.

Oh and also, nothing can be done with your fingerprints... They can hardly print them out and frame you at a crime scene.

We often have to give fingerprints for my job.

I’ve heard they do it a lot for that exact reason

Oh. I wouldn’t send them in

ask to visit a police station

I think a lot of people, like me, don't understand why you are uncomfortable with it knowing it's not a scam, and that's why they are questioning it.

Depends. I mean if you don’t they won’t give you your DBS certificate so I assume you don’t need it that bad 🤷‍♀️

They’ll store them in the data base that holds a hell of a lot of fingerprints.

thats it

I don’t fully either, hut it is a strange feeling to be asked for fingerprints. A new one on me. And the fact I don’t really have a choice (yes, I know I technically do but in reality I don’t really) is a big part of why I’m not totally happy about it.

Documentation posted by PP said it'll be destroyed.
If you wanted to be sure, you could raise a SAR after that. Under GDPR laws they have to tell you what personal information they hold.

If you've ever been scanned at an airport they'll have your body info anyway