What possible justification is there to ask for bank account details on CRB check application ?

[clumsymum]

I've been offered a part-time position with the council, for which I need to be CRB checked.

So they have sent me the application form to fill in. The accompanying letter says I MUST complete sections A B C D and H, but the form also includes section E, on which it says "this information will help us to process your application more quickly".
The section asks for marital status, no of dependent children, mother's maiden name and bank account details.

I've thought really hard about this, but honestly can't see why having my bank account number (or knowing whether I'm married), can be relevant in my application.

OK, I know the Govt has/can access all this information already, but I don't really want the staff in yet another agency having access to it.

Now obviously, I'm not filling in that section, as I haven't been told it's compulsory. But some people will ...

And I just don't think it's right ....

Am I being over-sensitive ???

Part E is no longer required or used. You do not have to fill it in at all. In fact most registered bodies will ask you NOT to fill it in. It is just that the forms are very out of date but given that there are changes coming (ISA, online applications etc) they haven't bothered rewriting them.

The check isn't just for sex offenders, but for anyone due to be working with vulnerable people and more. The bank details can confirm your identity quicker than without. when the CRB is returned, it will only contain information relevant for the position you have applied for. Eg, if you had a conviction for burglary, and wanted to apply for a Home Carer position, you would probably not get the job when the CRB comes back.

Hmm... I don't know about the council but I know when friends have been security checked for the Civil Service they have gone through their bank accounts to check for things that might make them vulnerable to blackmail or something - like large cash withdrawals (which might indicated payments to drug dealers or escort agencies, or a gambling habit).

They also check husbands, partners, and in some cases other relations.

But if that were the case I don't know why it would be optional and not compulsory.

Is it possible that things like mother's maiden name etc, might help them distinguish between you and another person with a similar name?

Ladymuck

Why was the section there in the first place tho ?

oh sorry, x posted with everyone else. Sounds logical.

" I don't know about the council but I know when friends have been security checked for the Civil Service they have gone through their bank accounts to check for things that might make them vulnerable to blackmail or something - like large cash withdrawals (which might indicated payments to drug dealers or escort agencies, or a gambling habit)"

Or just buying a second-hand car ......

well yes obviously you don't get refused for having a single large cash payment!

But repeated cash withdrawals which you can't/won't explain might raise a red flag.

Clumsymum, it was just there to help with id confirmation. They don't check the content of your accounts at all (and can't for a CRB disclosure). But they could have used it to verify address details (in the same way that you can use a bank statement as one of your proofs for section X). It has never been compulsory to provide the information though.

theyoungvisitor - I HOPE that CRB checks are considerably less invasive than secuvrity vetting. Financial information is confidential.

I've always wondered if they did find something dodgy (in security vetting) if you could defend it - "Yes I do enjoy spending all my money on crack on whores, but don't worry about blackmail, I've already told my Mum."

theyoungvisitor - I'm really shocked by that!

potplant - really shocked by what? The level of vetting do you mean?

This is for really high security jobs with a lot of discretion involved and potential for - say - taking bribes, or being blackmailed.

And the people applying for the jobs know what they are letting themselves in for when they apply. It's not like you get suddenly surprised after the interview.

www.securityclearedjobs.com/HowToBeSecurityCleared.aspx

Fianancial inforemation only seems to be requred for Developed Vetting which is " required for people with substantial unsupervised access to TOP SECRET assets, or for working in the intelligence or security agencies. "

This is a better link en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classified_information_in_the_United_Kingdom#Vetting

My dh had to have the developed vetting one.

He had some trouble as I was checked for part of the process and I do not (and have never had) my own bank account, and am not on a joint account either.

I had to set one up because apparently it looked like I might be dodgy.

theyoungvisitor - Yes I mean the level of vetting! I've only ever worked in private sector where companies don't even bother taking up references half the time.

Thanks for clarifying its at a high level civil servant.

Next you'll be telling me that Spooks is virtually a documentary!!!

I know - I work in the private sector and most of my family work in the public sector, and it's pretty comical the difference between our employers.

But having said that, I'm happy to know that the people running the country probably aren't on the take