'Unscrupulous' people charging Romanians for PPS numbers

Gardaí are investigating a number of cases where Romanian nationals were illegally charged for obtaining a personal public service (PPS) number.

Minister for Social Affairs Séamus Brennan said yesterday that suspicions had been raised in his department that a number of "unscrupulous individuals" posing as department intermediaries were exploiting immigrants by charging fees for the free service.

The Minister said that a number of steps were now being taken to inform Romanian nationals about the proper procedures for applying for PPS numbers.

Notices were being placed in hostels frequented by Romanians and the chaplain to the Romanian communities here had agreed to raise awareness of the issue at Masses.

Applicants for PPS numbers are dealt with on a "walk-in" basis and there is no need to make a prior appointment. The vast majority of applications are dealt with during an initial visit.

Translation services are available in a number of offices for people who are unable to communicate through English.

Mr Brennan said that people who needed a PPS number were being advised to call to one of the Department of Social and Family Affairs local or branch offices around the State.

Applicants should bring with them evidence of identity, such as a passport or a national identity card, along with evidence of residence in this country, such as a letting agreement, a letter from a landlord or a utility bill.

Mr Brennan said: "My department is constantly on the look-out for any signs of fraud or exploitation in relation to the services it provides, as is the case in this instance. When appropriate, the gardaí are informed."

Allocation of PPS numbers is the sole responsibility of the Department of Social and Family Affairs. It is a free service provided at the department's offices only. It does not have any appointed agents or intermediaries.

Last year more than 200,000 PPS numbers were issued to foreign nationals. Thousands of these went to Romanian nationals.

There is no indication of the scale of the PPS fraud.

This is not the first time that PPS numbers have been linked to fraudulent activity. Department records released to The Irish Times last year warned that an organised network was involved in a "huge trade" in genuine documents, such as P45s, tax credit certificates and social services cards, in order to obtain PPS numbers.

It warned that growing evidence of identity fraud could lead to a "lack of confidence" in the PPS system, which is used to help open bank accounts and obtain credit cards.

A southern region ID project report, completed at the end of 2004, warned: "Many other cases of ID fraud have been encountered and will continue.

"The influx of new immigrants from the new EU member-states has brought new problems and there is a need for constant updates . . .

"As a department, our first line of defence in this area is at the PPS number issuing stage."