Being asked for photo ID to commence collaboration Thread poster: sdvplatt
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sdvplatt
United Kingdom
Local time: 21:30
Member (2003)
German to English
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by a certain provider. First time in this space.
Anyone had something similar before?
| | | | Jean Lachaud 
United States
Local time: 16:30
English to French
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| There have been several threads... | Mar 7, 2018 |
... mentioning this very practice in recent years.
On one occasion, I sent a scan of my driver's license to the customer, after redacting a number of things (my birth date and the License number, in particular, if memory serves). The customer accepted it, and that was that.
That was the sole occasion that I felt the request had some merit.
I never send any ID, with or without photo, to alleged agencies fishing around to populate their database of free-lanc... See more ... mentioning this very practice in recent years.
On one occasion, I sent a scan of my driver's license to the customer, after redacting a number of things (my birth date and the License number, in particular, if memory serves). The customer accepted it, and that was that.
That was the sole occasion that I felt the request had some merit.
I never send any ID, with or without photo, to alleged agencies fishing around to populate their database of free-lance translators.
And, although this is beyond the scope of this question, my résumé/CV contains images with a "reproduction prohibited" watermark, rather than plain text, to prevent (or, more likely, slightly deter) unscrupulous entities to copy/paste my experience in their web site to claim that I am a full-time employee. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Michael Newton
United States
Local time: 16:30
Japanese to English
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This request could be used to find out what race the translator is. You could never demand this in the US.
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I don't think it is necessary.
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sdvplatt
United Kingdom
Local time: 21:30
Member (2003)
German to English
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER | So I did the right thing | Mar 8, 2018 |
JL01 wrote:
... mentioning this very practice in recent years.
On one occasion, I sent a scan of my driver's license to the customer, after redacting a number of things (my birth date and the License number, in particular, if memory serves). The customer accepted it, and that was that.
That was the sole occasion that I felt the request had some merit.
I never send any ID, with or without photo, to alleged agencies fishing around to populate their database of free-lance translators.
And, although this is beyond the scope of this question, my résumé/CV contains images with a "reproduction prohibited" watermark, rather than plain text, to prevent (or, more likely, slightly deter) unscrupulous entities to copy/paste my experience in their web site to claim that I am a full-time employee.
not sending nada.
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I’ve been translating professionally for over 30 years and the only time I was asked for a photo was by a British translation agency which after a test, a signed NDA and a long list of other requirements sent me a so-called welcome pack having 34 pages for me to read, fill, sign and return… My answer was: thank you but no thanks!
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Michael Newton wrote:
This request could be used to find out what race the translator is. You could never demand this in the US.
Admittedly I'm not an American, but it is my understanding that anti-discrimination laws typically protect customers from being discriminated against by vendors and service providers, not vice versa. Customers are usually completely free to use or decline the services provided by any vendor and do not have to justify their choice to anyone. In this scenario, it would be the translator who is the "service provider" and therefore subject to whatever anti-discrimination restrictions might apply. Is it different in the US?
| | | | Ildiko Santana
United States
Local time: 13:30
Member (2002)
Hungarian to English
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MODERATOR | Do Not Share with anyone but Government Agency | Mar 8, 2018 |
Hello,
I had a similar experience recently. I saved the Identity Theft Resource Center's 2-page information sheet in PDF format and in the appropriate section of the online application with the requesting potential client I uploaded this file. (The first page also contains a cute image; Elvis Presley's driver license (not real, of course) which shows how easy it is to use a DL.)
The most important advise:
"The thing you need to keep in mind is that the only piece of info... See more Hello,
I had a similar experience recently. I saved the Identity Theft Resource Center's 2-page information sheet in PDF format and in the appropriate section of the online application with the requesting potential client I uploaded this file. (The first page also contains a cute image; Elvis Presley's driver license (not real, of course) which shows how easy it is to use a DL.)
The most important advise:
"The thing you need to keep in mind is that the only piece of information that is needed is your DL# or state ID#. Your name, address, DOB etc. is not needed to steal your identity.
How Can I Minimize My Risks?
The best thing to do is safeguard your driver's license information. Don’t allow anyone but government officials to scan/swipe your license unless they are required to by law"
No, I have not heard from the potential client again... ▲ Collapse
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sdvplatt
United Kingdom
Local time: 21:30
Member (2003)
German to English
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER | The PDF that was sent | Mar 8, 2018 |
Ildiko Santana wrote: Hello, I had a similar experience recently. I saved the Identity Theft Resource Center's 2-page information sheet in PDF format and in the appropriate section of the online application with the requesting potential client I uploaded this file. (The first page also contains a cute image; Elvis Presley's driver license (not real, of course) which shows how easy it is to use a DL.) The most important advise: "The thing you need to keep in mind is that the only piece of information that is needed is your DL# or state ID#. Your name, address, DOB etc. is not needed to steal your identity. How Can I Minimize My Risks? The best thing to do is safeguard your driver's license information. Don’t allow anyone but government officials to scan/swipe your license unless they are required to by law" No, I have not heard from the potential client again...
This was the justification they gave (PDF)
https://mega.nz/#!dkhUULRB!w81_UkuaOOVkRpHqjyOmVpkhu5CgvYhhkE6QwRIJ4z8
How about Proz doing more?
[Edited at 2018-03-08 18:50 GMT]
| | | | Michael Newton
United States
Local time: 16:30
Japanese to English
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This is not a typical vendor (department store say Harrods)/user (customer) relationship where Harrods is trying to pass off Vietnamese robusta coffee as Jamaican Blue Mountain.
A translator in the US (a would-be "employee") applies for a free-lance position with an agency (a putative "employer").
Job-seekers in the US can be discriminated against for a number of reasons: (1) gender; (2) race; (3) age.
A photograph could cover all of the above. No reasonable company would dem... See more This is not a typical vendor (department store say Harrods)/user (customer) relationship where Harrods is trying to pass off Vietnamese robusta coffee as Jamaican Blue Mountain.
A translator in the US (a would-be "employee") applies for a free-lance position with an agency (a putative "employer").
Job-seekers in the US can be discriminated against for a number of reasons: (1) gender; (2) race; (3) age.
A photograph could cover all of the above. No reasonable company would demand this. If they did, the ACLU would be hot on their tails. There would be litigation, fines and embarrassment. ▲ Collapse
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