Pps number

samina · 01-12-2011 6:04pm #1

Just a quick question. My kids are starting to apply for jobs online and most are asking them for their pps number. Has the idea of keeping your pps number private become Old fashioned? I can understand if you get the job but why for applications?

tenchi-fan · 01-12-2011 6:56pm

samina wrote: »

Just a quick question. My kids are starting to apply for jobs online and most are asking them for their pps number. Has the idea of keeping your pps number private become Old fashioned? I can understand if you get the job but why for applications?

I've seen a few online applications which request a PPS number. If it's a secure website for a reputable company I don't see the harm. But if I didn't know the company or the request was made by email there is no way I'd provide it.

Delancey · 01-12-2011 7:30pm

I think they want the PPS number to check immigration status. The idea being someone illegal wouldn't have one.

samina · 01-12-2011 7:36pm

tenchi-fan wrote: »

samina wrote: »

Just a quick question. My kids are starting to apply for jobs online and most are asking them for their pps number. Has the idea of keeping your pps number private become Old fashioned? I can understand if you get the job but why for applications?

I've seen a few online applications which request a PPS number. If it's a secure website for a reputable company I don't see the harm. But if I didn't know the company or the request was made by email there is no way I'd provide it.

Thanks. These are for part time jobs in the bigger high street shops. I don't understand why it's necessary at the application stage, even the official website for pps numbers has a list of agencies that can ask for your number plus of course your employer and not to give it to anyone else. But then you have no hope of being considered if you don't provide it. Crazy system

samina · 01-12-2011 7:40pm

I see delancey. Thanks

Honey-ec · 02-12-2011 10:06am

It's so they can check that applicants are eligible to work in Ireland. There's no point in them calling someone for interview, going through the interview process, making an offer and then finding out that the person can't actually work here.

seamus · 02-12-2011 10:15am

As said, it's a shit test for illegal immigrants to ensure that those applying are legal to work.

If it's something that really concerns you, then simply transpose two digits when signing the form. So if it's 1234567A, give them 1243567A.
They won't check this number at the interview stage and if you get hired, the number will come back showing as invalid and then you can claim innocence and give them the correct number.

There is no chance you might accidentally give them someone else's PPSN. The letter at the end is a "check" digit, so it will fail validation if you change any of your PPSN.

samina · 02-12-2011 10:56am

That's a good idea switching digits. I can understand the need for it but it just completely goes against what I had drilled into by my dad growing up. Its that much of a no no in my head I'd gladly give them my credit card number before my pps.

Nolanger · 03-12-2011 8:13pm

They them to f-off and they've no right to ask for your PPS number. Too many fools in this country acting 'professional' without realising they're in the wrong.

Mrs OBumble · 03-12-2011 10:24pm

Nolanger wrote: »

They them to f-off and they've no right to ask for your PPS number. Too many fools in this country acting 'professional' without realising they're in the wrong.

Sometimes easier said than done. The recruitment sites of some of the large UK based retailers use PPS to identify candidates. Legal or not, it's what they do. And if you want a job there, you need to play ball.

vikingdub · 03-12-2011 11:24pm

Delancey wrote: »

I think they want the PPS number to check immigration status. The idea being someone illegal wouldn't have one.

A PPS number does not provide proof that an applicant can legally work in Ireland.

There is no reason for an employer to seek a candidate's PPS number, this number is for the use of government departments. Once a person is employed the employer needs the PPS number for revenue and PRSI purposes.

vikingdub · 03-12-2011 11:25pm

Honey-ec wrote: »

It's so they can check that applicants are eligible to work in Ireland. There's no point in them calling someone for interview, going through the interview process, making an offer and then finding out that the person can't actually work here.

It is not, many people who are not eligible to work in Ireland have pps numbers.

samina · 04-12-2011 12:01am

So if it's not to prove you have one why else would they ask?
So the overall opinion is they have no right to ask for it, but can they legally demand that you give it before they consider you for a job I wonder?

seamus · 04-12-2011 10:13pm

samina wrote: »

So if it's not to prove you have one why else would they ask?
So the overall opinion is they have no right to ask for it, but can they legally demand that you give it before they consider you for a job I wonder?

They can't legally demand anything. But they can ask for it and refuse to interview you if you won't provide one.

BostonB · 04-12-2011 11:33pm

I'm curious how can a company can check these.

No govt agency or dept is going to give someones information out to a third party. If that's true then they are simply asking for it to put people off who don't have it, and also to save admin time when taking someone on.

Most people in Ireland will have been registered with a PPS no at some point if they were working or not. So if someone uses your PPS number it should be obvious that it doesn't match the details on file once a govt dept or agency processes it.

Mrs OBumble · 05-12-2011 2:26pm

BostonB wrote: »

I'm curious how can a company can check these.

... to save admin time when taking someone on.

I'm pretty sure that this is the major factor.

And I suspect that some UK companies may use the PPS as a unique identifier for their Irish employees, even though (I understand) that this is somewhat illegal.

They should check it against the person's passport or other proof of right to work here, either at interview or on the first day. I wouldn't guarantee that they will do this, though, or that incorrect numbers you gave would necessarily be picked up.

TBH, I'd be more worried about giving my PPS to the boss at Dodgy-Paddy's-Pub than to the major retail chains' HR systems.

BostonB · 05-12-2011 2:31pm

What are they going to do with someone else PPS. I would assume you can't have duplicate PPS numbers on Social or Revenue, so as soon as you used it officially it will be flagged as bogus.

BostonB · 05-12-2011 2:35pm

Unless of course the Govt doesn't have a means of checking them...

HE Government is being urged to crack down on social welfare fraud after figures showed there were 2.6 million more PPS numbers than people in the State.

New statistics show there are 7.2 million PPS numbers on issue while the population is just 4.58 million.

http://www.herald.ie/news/pps-tally-sparks-fear-of-massive-welfare-fraud-2823453.html

You can see why they would be surprised by this. Considering this was news in 2005.

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/brennan-pledges-crackdown-on-pps-fraud-gangs-270993.html

Nolanger · 05-12-2011 7:08pm

You can use someone's PPS number to claim welfare online. All you need is the person's date of birth which handily enough is on most people's CVs.

tenchi-fan · 05-12-2011 7:43pm

Nolanger wrote: »

You can use someone's PPS number to claim welfare online. All you need is the person's date of birth which handily enough is on most people's CVs.

You can't claim welfare online.

Mrs OBumble · 06-12-2011 1:59pm

tenchi-fan wrote: »

You can't claim welfare online.

And you need a lot more than just a PPS number and DOB to claim, too.

Re there being more numbers than people: yes there is fraud. But there are also immigrants who've gone home, Irish who've emigrated, and dead people.

BostonB · 06-12-2011 2:32pm

True, I assume by "PPS numbers on issue" they mean active. But what on issue/active means its unclear. Perhaps a number can be active, but not in use. Usual vague newspaper reporting. It was kinda referred to by this comment.

"The Government must ensure that PPS numbers belonging to those no longer resident in the State, or who have deceased, are no longer active or in circulation," Mr Collins added.

As soon as you are born you get one these days.

Nolanger · 06-12-2011 5:47pm

JustMary wrote: »

And you need a lot more than just a PPS number and DOB to claim, too

Rubbish.
https://www.welfare.ie/EN/Secure/Pages/EForms.aspx

tenchi-fan · 06-12-2011 7:42pm

Nolanger wrote: »

Rubbish.
https://www.welfare.ie/EN/Secure/Pages/EForms.aspx

Nolanger, all over that page it says you must be invited to apply online.

You also need a Transaction Identification Number which is only valid for 48 hours.

It is not as simple as using a PPS number and DOB you harvested from someone's CV.

In fact, most people who will be sending out CVs will either already be registered for jobseekers benefit or not eligible for the payment.

Pps number

Comments