NI number disclosure

[Seadog]

It would seem that you now need to provide your NI number, which is your national ID, to foreign customs when buying from abroad. At least that seems to be the case for Italy.

Not sure that I want to. How do others feel?

 

[mart]

My question is, do we know why, apart from red tape 'bollards'

 

[Parm]

That doesnt sound right to me

 

[mike os]

That would be a no, sounds way too scammy

 

[mart]

Email them and ask why.

 

[Arc Tourist]

Red flag warning, for identity theft.

 

[Seadog]

Well, I've a snapshot of what purports to be a customs declaration which asks for National Identity number for a private person.


Thought, it's in English, hmmm

 

[mart]

Would some bloke in Italy asking for unnecessary information know the difference if you 'accidently' got a couple of the digits wrong?

 

[tlovatt]

I do not think N is National Identity, it is National Insurance. The form is probably written for those who issue ID cards, you could add a passport number instead and see what happens

 

[Seadog]

I understand that, but we don't have a National Identity number in this country, even a passport can't be classified as such since you are under no obligation to have one.

 

[James1979]

Just make one up? I do that with passport number on things like hotel rooms and no one has ever put me in prison for it

a bloke in Italy can’t verify it on our system anyway I wouldn’t think.

 

[Feet 'n Inches]

Red flag to me too. I'd look for another seller who's not asking for that kind of info. On the flip side, I believe the first two letters of the NI number delineate the year so, a 17 year old 'immigrant' with the NI number of someone in their 70s could just raise a few questions.

 

[scottmk1]

I just got parts sent over from the US and there was no such request.

 

[colnerov]

Hi, Your NI number is for tax and pension purposes and has as much relevance to importing something as your NHS number. Ignore it, it sounds like, as said, information gathering for identity theft.

Colin

 

[slim_boy_fat]

@Seadog How did this arise? Have/had you ordered some goods from 'over there'?

 

[Seadog]

I bought a carb slide from Italy for my scooter.

 

[Barking Mat]

Sounds like a scam Graham, address, email, phone number, yes.

never been asked for NI, or passport number sending stuff, except maybe in India twenty years ago sending stuff to the U.K.. Customs declaration, standard for tourists in India checking into hotels at that time.

Sounds like a scam.

 

[Barking Mat]

What kind of company? Pm me a link, I'll take a peek.

 

[jerrytug]

I wouldn't give it. Make one up. I bet they can be sold to traffickers and illegal immmigrants, and you wiill be giving them your other details on the order as well. Who knows what might happen.

 

[Barking Mat]

I'd be tempted to report the company, to a government dept' Police? dealing with identity theft.