Any Valid Reason an Employer Would Need a Full Copy of Drivers Licence before Payment [NSW]

sam buster on 16/07/2021 - 16:01

Hi

Just before lockdown, I found some one-off work as a product tester.

My session was organised through an app, I was invited to attend an office locally (NSW), went through the COVID sign-in, went to the office, showed my driver's licence as required to verify my age, signed in COVID-tracking register again, completed the work shift, signed out etc.

But I didn't get paid. The app shows I did the work, shows how much I should be paid (less than A$ 100), but is frozen as 'payment in transit'.
I followed up about this, through the app, and was eventually informed that the paying company require a copy of my photo ID before they can pay me.

Not just a copy of my ID - but a full-colour, front and back, copy of my valid driver's licence or passport.

So…
1 - is there any reason an employer would need a copy of any of my ID in order to transfer a wage into my bank account?
2 - Why would they need photo ID? - they can't see me to compare the photo.
3 - Why would they need full-colour, and why would they need front and back? Certified copies are black and white of just the front side, and further demarked by a stamp.
4 - The work has been done, what are they supposedly validating with my ID?

I'm not particularly keen to needlessly submit such a high quality copy of a such a document - especially after the 50,000+ leaked drivers licences last November.

What ID do employers need to see and copy?
What ID is needed to make a payment to a bank account?

Education & Work

Comments

  • Quantumcat on 16/07/2021 - 16:04
    +1

    Try sending it but blank out the license number and any other details you think would help them commit identity fraud.

    What was the app by the way? You can also try complaining to them.

    • SlavOz on 07/11/2021 - 13:44
      -1

      Try sending it but blank out the license number and any other details you think would help them commit identity fraud.

      Also don't forget to give them your vaccination certificate which shows your personal details, Medicare number, and unique vaccine code.

      Gotta protect your identity.

      • Quantumcat on 07/11/2021 - 14:17
        +1

        Vaccine passport does not show your Medicare number. Maybe get vaccinated so you at least know what you're complaining about.

  • PissLUR on 16/07/2021 - 16:04
    +5

    Why don't you ask them?

    • pharkurnell on 16/07/2021 - 16:07
      +14

      Easier asking on OzAnswers4Everything

    • sam buster on 16/07/2021 - 16:15
      +3

      I have asked, but it took a week to get a reply about why I haven't been paid.
      Also, I'm anticipating a reply along the lines of, "Because it's a requirement of our client before they can pay you."

      So I thought I would reach out and get other people's opinions and experiences in the meantime.

      • SF3 on 16/07/2021 - 16:26
        +2

        I think ask could be, giving them a call, rather than waiting for an email reply (which could and is usually delayed).

        • eyeballz2770 on 17/07/2021 - 18:54

          I've worked with a mystery shopping company that only communicated through their app. They were quick with replies but if they had chosen to ignore me I wouldn't have had a phone number to turn to.

  • p1 ama on 16/07/2021 - 16:16
    +1

    1 - is there any reason an employer would need a copy of any of my ID in order to transfer a wage into my bank account?

    There is probably some level of accountability they have for accounting/reporting - e.g. taxation…etc.

    There is also likely to be some level of verification required to ensure that you have the correct visas and the like to legally be allowed to work in Australia.

    2 - Why would they need photo ID? - they can't see me to compare the photo.

    Basically all ID is "photo ID", aside from birth certificate maybe. I've never had an issue.

    3 - Why would they need full-colour, and why would they need front and back? Certified copies are black and white of just the front side, and further demarked by a stamp.

    I doubt they would need "full-colour", but if you're sending them in B&W, why not colour? It's nitpicking at straws (from both sides).

    4 - The work has been done, what are they supposedly validating with my ID?

    See above.

    FWIW, I've always taken providing ID for a job as a standard affair. If you do not trust someone enough to provide them your ID, then do you trust them enough to work for them?

    • sam buster on 16/07/2021 - 16:46

      Thanks for the replies.

      1 - Would a TFN (tax file number serve that purpose?)
      Likewise, if visas are the issue, then TFN again, or a copy of my visa.

      2 - But they specify it has to be photo ID.

      3 - Again, they specify it has to be full-colour, unobscured, and front and back.
      A scammer can't as easily use a black and white copy when a colour copy or original document is requested. Yes, I know it's just another hoop if they are photoshop proficient, but why make it so easy for them?
      Visa dept, police check etc request certified copies and specify black and white.

      4 - Shouldn't they have taken this before they employed me?

      I understand some purposes an employer may want to check my ID, but unless I'm driving as the occupation I don't know why they would need to record it.
      As it happens, I showed my licence on the day, as requested, for age validation.

  • AndyC1 on 16/07/2021 - 16:17
    +2

    Have you checked that the company is legit?
    Have you checked the people you are contacting actually work for the company via the companies published phone number (not what they gave you)?
    Have you googled the company to see that the testing is not a scam to get license details?
    Did you ask how you would be paid before attending?

    • sam buster on 16/07/2021 - 16:32

      I was referred by someone I know who did get paid for a shift they did a week before me.

      • hentabara on 16/07/2021 - 16:54

        Ask your "someone you know" if they need to provide it.

        • sam buster on 16/07/2021 - 17:09

          They can't remember. I expect they did, but that doesn't mean they should have, nor does it mean the company needs it.

    • sam buster on 16/07/2021 - 17:08

      Thanks, offers some light as to why they might request ID, but not why this company requires so much detail and high quality.

      • Baysew on 16/07/2021 - 17:26
        +3

        Especially after you have completed the work.

  • Hardlyworkin on 16/07/2021 - 16:34

    Were you an employee? Did you provide your TFN?

    Sounds dodgy, no there isn't really a good reason though an employer siting some form of ID isn't odd - for example to prove your age. It does seem weird (potential scam) on the specifics.

    What do online searches of the company bring up?

  • meowsers on 16/07/2021 - 16:37
    +2

    I would just send an invoice with bank details. If they still don't pay send another one. If they don't pay send a a letter of demand.
    Sounds like you were just a contractor anyways.

  • robbyjones on 16/07/2021 - 17:17
    +1

    The tax department might be on their case about keeping records. Generally in these types of product testing the remuneration, if in cash, is supposed to be to cover the respondents costs and not as a payment for work completed, this gets around the company having to get respondents to either complete tax file declarations or getting you to give them an abn and all the palaver that goes with employing people. If the company has been pinged in the past then they may be being extra diligent in their record keeping.

    • sam buster on 16/07/2021 - 17:24

      Interesting, and sounds dodgy!
      But what details would they need to keep a record of - surely nothing more than my name and date of birth? Possibly address insted of DoB.
      But passport / licence number, photo, full colour, front and back?

      • robbyjones on 16/07/2021 - 17:28
        +1

        No idea, that's a question they could best answer but I would say it is easier to track you via a copy of your drivers licence or passport than just your recorded details. The agency that recruited you should have notified you upfront that this was a requirement i'd be more miffed at them, they are generally the shady ones as it is often hard to find respondents so they are not always as upfront as they should be.

  • outlander on 16/07/2021 - 17:31
    +8

    A little trick that I've picked up is, if you have to have your license copied, cover it with clear contact and write "THIS IS A COPY" in permanent marker along with the date and the company requesting it.

    That way it's harder for criminals to use when they inevitable steal (or more likely buy) it.

    • robbyjones on 16/07/2021 - 17:33
      +4

      What a great idea

    • sam buster on 16/07/2021 - 17:53

      Nice idea.
      In this instance the app requests:

      "Verify your info by providing photos of your driver's license or passport

      • ID must be valid and not expired

      • Photos must be of the original document and in color. Photocopies, blurry photos, or difficult to read photos will be rejected

      . For driver's licenses or identity cards, provide photos of the front & the back of the card

      • For passports, provide photos of the personal
      information / photo page and the signature page"

      Still not clear why they need this level of detail.
      I guess, I'll have to wait til they reply.

      • Quantumcat on 16/07/2021 - 18:30
        +3

        Doesn't say you can't obscure some of the details - just that the whole thing can't be blurry. You could cover the license number and the day/month of your birthday for instance. Then the license can be used to show who you are and that you are over 18 but not used to sign up to mobile phone contracts or port out your phone number etc. I like the previous person's idea of adding a message to it "this is a copy provided to X company on Y date for Z purpose". Pretty hard to use it for identity fraud then.

        • sam buster on 16/07/2021 - 18:46

          Yeah. I need to find out what their specific purpose of requesting it is.
          But given that they want colour and front and back… !?

          I tried to PM you for your first reply but I got an error message.

    • wongcr on 17/07/2021 - 10:29
      +1

      If you are in NSW you can get an official Photo ID Card from servicensw centres. It costs $15 if you have a current drivers licence. I never give my license out, just pass the photoID card instead.

      But i would still follow your suggestion … thanks !!

  • sam buster on 16/07/2021 - 17:57
    +2

    I have done a similar product testing job before, that didn't involve an app and didn't involve taking a copy of my ID. So it doesn't seem to me that it's necessary.

    I guess I shall have to wait for their reply.
    In the meantime I'll look for a phone number.

    Thanks for the replies.

  • holdenmg on 16/07/2021 - 18:25
    +2

    Ask https://www.fairwork.gov.au/

  • 82norm on 17/07/2021 - 07:51

    What would happen if you had neither ID’s? I’d goto Centrelink and request a photoID instead and give them that instead.

  • OzHunterNSW on 18/07/2021 - 10:19
    +1

    What if you did not have a licence? Ask them that

  • Zachary on 23/07/2021 - 01:36

    what u end up doing?

    • sam buster on 23/07/2021 - 15:57

      Please, see below.

  • sam buster on 23/07/2021 - 15:56

    Quick update. I got a reply from the app company pointing me to the payment company, Stripe, thus avoiding answering any of my other questions about the necessity and detail of my ID and what will happen to my personal data.
    Will post back when I have more news, but I'm not expecting anything before Monday.

    • Zachary on 29/10/2021 - 14:20
      -1

      anymore updates?

      • sam buster on 30/10/2021 - 13:45

        Not as yet.
        Didn't get a reply at all from Stripe, but I maybe didn't have the right contact.
        I've just re-emailed the first company asking proper contact details.

        • Zachary on 07/11/2021 - 01:17
          -1

          anything new?

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