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Original poster

LEGAL OPINION? DH's boss wants to see my bank details! Is this legal?

56 replies

BaffledByBabyTights · 13/05/2007 20:47

DH works in public sector and is having some security vetting for a new job, and part of it is they want to see his financial records to make sure he's not being blackmailed/has a gambling habit/a fraudster etc. However, he was told today that the vetting people want to see my bank statements too and my credit card statements. I am mightily p*ed off about this as I don't work for them, and see it as a huge violation of my privacy - can I tell them to shove it without them being able to refuse him the job?

OP posts:
MissGolightly · 13/05/2007 20:56

I don't know about the legality of this, but my sister's partner works in what sounds like a similar field and she had all her finances raked through. They were not even married. So I think it may be just par for the course.

From their POV if your Dh was accepting bribes from Al Quaida (for eg) then it woudl hardly be rocket science to put the cash in your account, would it?

Original poster
BaffledByBabyTights · 13/05/2007 20:59

yes, I know, but I still don't want to show them my credit card bill!!!!. Thanks for replying though!

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 13/05/2007 21:00

I can't believe people are allowed to get away with this with all the identity fraud going about.

And using terrorism as an excuse to play Big Brother is bollocks.

Sorry, but I wouldn't do this.

MissGolightly · 13/05/2007 21:02

FWIW I don't think it will be his boss who sees your documents. There is (normally) a special department to handle this, and I am sure they will be hedged around by all sorts of confidentiality policies. If you are concerned I would ask your DH to get a statement from HR explaining who will see your statements and exactly what information will be recorded.

Taylormama · 13/05/2007 21:02

what?! Would take legal advice on this ... don't hand anything over - you have no legal ties to your DH;s employer (you aren't contracted to work for them. It sounds very extreme tbh

MissGolightly · 13/05/2007 21:04

Expat, it's not bollocks. if you are going (for example) a very high security job in the civil service with access to information like (for example) where the prime minister's children go to nursery, then I think it's reasonable to check that you aren't receiving wads of cash from Syria.

FGS no-one minds showing their bank statements to get a mortgage, do they? ANd this is people's lives we're talking about here.

expatinscotland · 13/05/2007 21:04

And I wouldn't trust their 'confidentiality' at all.

No way.

I had my identity stolen by what was later found to be a ring of rogue employees working for a chain of well-known hotels (Sheraton).

NO END to the 'mare it caused.

I'm super-careful with who sees my financial documents now.

SenoraPostrophe · 13/05/2007 21:06

presumably she can send docs with account numbers (in fact all details bar account name, amounts and pyer/payee name) made illegible though?

expatinscotland · 13/05/2007 21:06

Um, yes, well a mortgage is a loan of money, and a lot of it. So you can sort of expect that of a bank to whom you are applying to borrow a lot of money.

Puhleeze, MGL, she hasn't even said what job it is.

I've been asked for incredibly personal information for public sector clerical positions paying £12,000/pa, ffs.

[rolls eyes]

MissGolightly · 13/05/2007 21:07

Look, it's not Baffled's neighbour asking for her bank details, it's a public sector organisation. Why is a civil servant any more likely to commit identity fraud than your average bank clerk?

LittleMouseWithCLogsOn · 13/05/2007 21:07

think this is the nrom

Taylormama · 13/05/2007 21:07

banks and all sorts of "respectable" institutions sell on all sorts of personal details ... sorry but that is not bollox. Me and DH have had 3 years of hell as a result of identity fraud. you cannot be too careful with your personal details ...

Original poster
BaffledByBabyTights · 13/05/2007 21:07

I do see what you mean, but a mortgage would be something to do with me, in terms of signing the thing, and this is not. (DH is cringing as I type this muttering 'please don't get worked up, pleae don't cock this up!' (poor bloke)

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 13/05/2007 21:08

Tell me about it, Taylor!

Mine was stolen after staying at a hotel.

Original poster
BaffledByBabyTights · 13/05/2007 21:09

Cod, I hoped you would give me a quick legal fix!!!!

OP posts:
MissGolightly · 13/05/2007 21:09

Ok true, I don't know what the job is, and perhaps in some instances their security vetting may be over-cautious. But given the information that government employees have access to I think I'd rather they did a little check first, don't you? For MY safety, if for no-one elses.

Anyway, Baffled, I go back to my original statement, if you are worried then ask your DH to get copies of their policies on the issue. I am sure you are not the only spouse who has expressed concerns.

WideWebWitch · 13/05/2007 21:10

I've never heard of this and think I'd be pissed off tbh. Although in our case we have a joint acc so looking at his bank account IS looking at mine.

MerlinsBeard · 13/05/2007 21:10

i wouldn't do it. its your DP not you that has applied.
Although i do think it would depend what his job was and their reasons for raking thru your personal files.

expatinscotland · 13/05/2007 21:12

Sorry, no, I don't buy the 'For My Safety' argument at all.

I come from a nation which is quite literally a paranoid police state, all in the name of 'for your safety'.

If someone wants to infiltrate, they'll find a way.

Why live as slaves of fear?

MissGolightly · 13/05/2007 21:15

Ok, whatever Expat. This is a totally separate discussion abotu the rights and wrongs of the policy. But the point of Baffled's question was whether she coudl tell them to shove it.

IME this is TOTALLY NORMAL. I know numerous civil servants who have had to go through this, it's a pain but it's expected. So whether they will refuse him the job or not, I don't know, I expect it would depend on exactly what the job was, but a refusal would certainly ring alarm bells.

expatinscotland · 13/05/2007 21:16

I'd get legal advice before I did this.

unknownrebelbang · 13/05/2007 21:18

Don't know what job your DH does, and i'm not arguing the morals, but at least you know they want to look at your statements etc.

It is not unknown, in certain jobs, for the employer to vet the potential employee and his family, without the employee's knowledge.

Genidef · 13/05/2007 21:24

I work in a similar sort of field to the individuals who would be carrying out these sort of checks. I have NEVER heard about this before. Will try to find out for you. Don't turn anything over until you have at least asked Miss Golightly said asked HR what it's about. Would be interested to know who is doing the screening for them - they probably outsource this.

edam · 13/05/2007 21:24

Agree with MissG, get dh to ask them for copies of their policies on confidentiality. And to explain why they need to see your info. But I'm not surprised if he is applying for a sensitive post (and IIRC civil service vetting is pretty thorough even for jobs that you wouldn't think are particularly sensitive).

MissRible · 13/05/2007 21:25

Just give them what they want, it's just sigh level security clearance FFS.
Unless of course, you're not bothered if you jepodise DHs job prospects because without this he won't get the clearance he needs ...
Your call

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