Posted by
kneebows
15 yrs ago
The agency processing the domestic helper we are hoping to employ called today asking for my children's passport numbers. I asked why and they said for Immigration. I didn't give them the numbers and of course the Dept of Immigration closes at 4.30 and I can't get through on their hotline to verify this.
It sounds rather dodgy to me and until I can get a valid reason as to why the agency and indeed Immigration would need my children's passport numbers I will not be giving these up.
Am I being overly suspicious? Has anyone else encountered this?
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Maybe they're just asking for proof you have children? And where could they use a photocopy of your children's passport? (I assume you're witholding this piece of document/information due to data privacy.)
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MARB
15 yrs ago
We have just submitted our paperwork to Immigration to sponsor our new helper.
The agency asked us for a copy of our son's birth cert. and I am expecting number 2 this month and they asked for a doctors note with my due date.
I gave the info they requested, not sure if it was the right thing to do or not but I need my helpers visa approved ASAP.....
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I think that it makes it easier for agencies to prove that a household needs a helper if you have children. Photocopy of their passport is just one of the documents you can use to prove you've got children. To some, it's no big deal to give a copy of this doc. To some, apparently it is. Why is that? Why is it dodgy?
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To me the reason it sounds dodgey is because the Agency is asking for it.
The white form you have to fill in for immigration that includes your income, and personal details, already includes names and ages for all your family members. That should be in a sealed envelope for the Immigration department only to open, since that will have your proof of salary, address etc.
If you filled in that form already the agency don't need that information again.
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Information is not the same as "proof" for the information. Immigration Dept probably doesn't need it but agencies; to make their jobs easier for themselves, put in this additional documents anyway.
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Exactly Spurtico. To me the agency is there to process the paper work supplied by the government and filled out by me. The forms don't ask for the passport numbers. Why should the agency? And why do they need proof we have children? People with out children are just as eligible to employ a helper as those that do.
Call me overly cautious, but we were victims of credit card fraud earlier this year and I am keeping my personal information just that as much as possible. In short, it sounds dodgy because I fail to see how that information is needed.
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In the past, I have processed contracts with two helpers directly with immigration and not via an intermediary agency. Immigration have never asked for such detailed information.
I think the key point is whether an employer can afford to pay the helper, beyond that I don't think immigration really require you to convince them you need a helper.
I would not give it to the agent.
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I wouldn't provide it either. Sounds strange to me too.
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