Expert: Willie Wallace - 3/18/2005

Question
Mr. Cross,

I'm writing a story about the UK, though I am American.  In order to identify ourselves to the government in the US, we have a Social Security Number, which is our personal identification.  It's a code you don't want other people to know!  Do they have this in the UK?  If so, what's it called?

Answer
Hi Tyler,

The main equivalent in the UK is our National Insurance number.  To be able to work legally, we need an N.I. number.  There is no real need to keep this number secure, as, even if somebody uses it, there's no real way they can finacially damage the owner of the number, but maybe that's my non-criminal brain.  Maybe there is a way of doing that.  The only possibe way I can see of doing that is to take work using a stolen number and then not pay tax, but as it is the responsability of the employer to deduct tax beore the employee is paid, I still can't see how a stolen number could harm you.

Anyway, there is also a medical service number, by which your health history can be traced.  Most people don't have a note or knowledge of this number and the only time they have need of it is when they swap GP's.  In most cases, they will give name and address details to the new doctor's practice who will then call for the files from the old doctor.  The number will be on everything, but they are using the old fashioned name and address information far more than the number.  

However, what few people know is, the number, if known, can call up all kinds of information, not just medical.  In addition to the holder's medical history throughout their life, it also shows everywhere you have lived and may even have job information if that has in any way inmpinged on your medical history.

Information on housing history can be used in areas of police work which people don't often think about.  Of course, the police have no rights to see people's private files or medical history, but then it is amazing what becomes available to those who seek....

I hope that helps, Tyler.

Cheers,

Willie Wallace
http://www.celticlegend.co.uk