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Electoral register and address verification

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benk1342

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I am not on the electoral register because I am not eligible to vote in this country.

Is this the exclusive means that revenue staff use to verify addresses? If so, they would fail to verify mine.

There is no specific dispute at issue here - just a general question.

Thanks!
 
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bb21

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I believe that the electoral register is just one source. Some companies also use credit reference agencies I think.
 

Clip

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Gosh if we told you then you could remove yourself from everything and then where would we be when you next get caught bunking the train?
 

najaB

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Is this the exclusive means that revenue staff use to verify addresses? If so, they would fail to verify mine.
If you are a settled, adult resident of the UK with a permanent place of abode then your address can be verified. There's more that can be checked than just the electoral register.
 

broadgage

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AFAIK, the electoral register is often the first tried way of confirming that a given address is genuine.
Other options include banks, utility companies, vehicle and driver licensing, home or vehicle insurers, and as posted previously credit reference agencies.
 

HilversumNS

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I am not on the electoral register because I am not eligible to vote in this country.

Is this the exclusive means that revenue staff use to verify addresses? If so, they would fail to verify mine.

There is no specific dispute at issue here - just a general question.

Thanks!

I imagine you are working so you will have a National Insurance number, bank accounts, benefit claims, council tax, driving licence etc so it's not impossible to be found by any means.

BTW I am Dutch but I live in the UK and can't vote in the general elections here, but I can vote in local and EU elections, and I am on the electoral role.
 

Agent_c

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If you have a bank account, credit card, phone contract or internet contract you can count on your details being on Experian and the other credit checking sources.

This seems like the question you only bring up if you're planning on doing something wrong, and are looking for "advice" on how to get away with fraudulent behaviour.
 

benk1342

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Thanks all for the info.

This seems like the question you only bring up if you're planning on doing something wrong, and are looking for "advice" on how to get away with fraudulent behaviour.

Absolutely the opposite. I want to ensure my address can be found if there were ever to be any mix up - I wouldn't want to be falsely accused of giving a fake address.
 

benk1342

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Get your name on the electoral role then.

As I said I am not eligible to vote in this country. Unlike you, I am not from an EU country and cannot vote even in local elections. I am therefore not permitted to have my name on the electoral roll.

Hence I am reassured to hear that other measures are used besides the electoral roll.

Again, thank you all for your input.
 

khib70

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If you have a bank account, credit card, phone contract or internet contract you can count on your details being on Experian and the other credit checking sources.

This seems like the question you only bring up if you're planning on doing something wrong, and are looking for "advice" on how to get away with fraudulent behaviour.
Chalk up another person coming on for information and immediately being tagged a fare dodger. Score's getting higher by the day.
 

Agent_c

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Chalk up another person coming on for information and immediately being tagged a fare dodger. Score's getting higher by the day.

Can you offer a plausible alternative use for this information when there has no specific issue yet happened?

For the record, I don't think the OP is a fare dodger - I don't believe they have yet dodged a fare. I do however think it's rather obvious they're doing the mental sums to determine whether or not it is worth the risk - a potential future fare dodger.

I'm not buying the mix up story. The chances of someone giving details linked to them are astronomically low, and being on the electoral roll would make such a link more, not less likely.
 
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DaleCooper

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Can you offer a plausible alternative use for this information when there has no specific issue yet happened?.

Law student
Innocent curiosity
Applying for a position as an RPI
Attempt to fully understand the foriegn country in which they are living

Perhaps others can add to the list.
 

najaB

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Can you offer a plausible alternative use for this information when there has no specific issue yet happened?
Or, the OP has read several threads where addresses have been checked against the register and wondered how addresses are verified for people who are not on the register. It really could be that simple.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
The chances of someone giving details linked to them are astronomically low, and being on the electoral roll would make such a link more, not less likely.
The OP specifically said that they didn't want to be accused of giving a fake address because their details aren't on the register.
 

AndyW33

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Law student
Innocent curiosity
Applying for a position as an RPI
Attempt to fully understand the foriegn country in which they are living

Perhaps others can add to the list.

Heard that people who are registered to vote can opt out of the public part of the Electoral Roll and wondering whether TOCs can access the non-public part.
 

Flamingo

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Law student
Innocent curiosity
Applying for a position as an RPI
Attempt to fully understand the foriegn country in which they are living

Perhaps others can add to the list.

Well given that practically everybody who posts in the prosecutions thread seems to be a law student and a conviction will ruin their life, that would make me very suspicious of them ;) :lol:
 

Agent_c

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A law student would probably find more relevant and intresting information information in Thompson v. London, Midland and Scottish Railway Co. [1930] 1 K.B. 41 than wondering about the investigation process.

A prospective RPI doesn't need to know how to do the job until they get it, and then of course they get the training to do it.
 

DaleCooper

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A law student would probably find more relevant and intresting information information in Thompson v. London, Midland and Scottish Railway Co. [1930] 1 K.B. 41 than wondering about the investigation process.

A prospective RPI doesn't need to know how to do the job until they get it, and then of course they get the training to do it.

A good student will explore many avenues.

Any applicant should find out as much as possible about the job, have a look at the Railway Jobs & Careers section to see what kind of questions get asked.

Now what about the other reasons, could you not think of an argument against those?
 

6Gman

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Heard that people who are registered to vote can opt out of the public part of the Electoral Roll and wondering whether TOCs can access the non-public part.

Yes they can.

(I believe)
 

OwlMan

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Heard that people who are registered to vote can opt out of the public part of the Electoral Roll and wondering whether TOCs can access the non-public part.


Both the full and the open Electoral Registers are available for the public to view.

The Representation of the People (England and Wales) (Description of Electoral Registers and Amendment) Regulations 2013

Using information received from the public, registration officers keep two registers – the electoral register and the open register (also known as the edited register).
The electoral register lists the names and addresses of everyone who is registered to vote in public elections.
The register is used for electoral purposes – such as making sure only eligible people can vote – and for other limited purposes specified in law. The personal data in the register must always be processed in line with data-protection legislation.
Who uses the electoral register?
  • Election staff, political parties, candidates and holders of elected office use the register for electoral purposes.
  • Your local council and the British Library hold copies that anyone may look at under supervision. A copy is also held by the Electoral Commission, the Boundary Commissions (which set constituency boundaries for most elections) and the Office for National Statistics.
  • The council can use the register for duties relating to security, enforcing the law and preventing crime. The police and the security services can also use it for law enforcement.
  • The register is used when calling people for jury service.
  • Government departments may buy the register from local registration officers and use it to help prevent and detect crime. They can also use it to safeguard national security by checking the background of job applicants and employees.
  • Credit reference agencies can buy the register. They help other organisations to check the names and addresses of people applying for credit. They also use it to carry out identity checks when trying to prevent and detect money laundering.
It is a criminal offence for anyone to supply or use the register for anything else.
The open register is an extract of the electoral register, but is not used for elections. It can be bought by any person, company or organisation. For example, it is used by businesses and charities to confirm name and address details. The personal data in the register must always be processed in line with data-protection legislation.
Your name and address will be included in the open register unless you ask for them to be removed. Removing your details from the open register would not affect your right to vote.
Who uses the open register?
Users of the open register include:
  • businesses checking the identity and address details of people who apply for their services such as insurance, goods hire and property rental, as well as when they shop online
  • businesses selling age-restricted goods or services, such as alcohol and gambling online, to meet the rules on verifying the age of their customers
  • charities and voluntary agencies, for example to help maintain contact information for those who have chosen to donate bone marrow and to help people separated by adoption to find each other
  • charities, to help with fundraising and contacting people who have made donations
  • debt-collection agencies when tracing people who have changed address without telling their creditors
  • direct-marketing firms when maintaining their mailing lists
  • landlords and letting agents when checking the identity of potential tenants
  • local councils when identifying and contacting residents
  • online directory firms to help users of the websites find people, such as when reuniting friends and families
  • organisations tracing and identifying beneficiaries of wills, pensions and insurance policies
  • private-sector firms to verify details of job applicants.
 

Fare-Cop

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Good inspectors will be trained to make Electoral Register checks as a last option.

There are a great many ways of confirming identity.

Some of the agencies that are used have systems that cross-reference addresses with Electoral Register, utility & phone bills and more.
 

matt_world2004

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Both the full and the open Electoral Registers are available for the public to view.

However, according to that the TOC would be committing a crime by using the edited electorial register to chase fare evaders.
 

najaB

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However, according to that the TOC would be committing a crime by using the edited electorial register to chase fare evaders.
Not if they are using it by way of a credit reference agency - which is what most companies do.
 

clagmonster

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Not if they are using it by way of a credit reference agency - which is what most companies do.
Apart from the case of an UPFN, how does this fit into "They help other organisations to check the names and addresses of people applying for credit. They also use it to carry out identity checks when trying to prevent and detect money laundering."
 

island

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A person entering into an agreement by which they consume a service now and pay for it later is applying for credit. An example of such an agreement is a UPFN. Any suggestion that a credit reference agency cannot be involved in such a process is absurd.

Edit: On rereading the above posts, I would like to add that I don't believe anyone to have made such a suggestion.
 
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cjmillsnun

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Heard that people who are registered to vote can opt out of the public part of the Electoral Roll and wondering whether TOCs can access the non-public part.

Credit reference agencies like Experian and Equifax have full access to the Electoral Roll, and whether you are registered or not and how long for will be disclosed.

Bear in mind one of the facilities offered is an identity check, and this is used by debt collection agencies.

EDIT: Noticed that this information may not be offered for the identity check service...
 
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