Chinese translation agency asking for Passport/ID number Thread poster: briski
| briski United Kingdom Italian to French + ...
Hello, I know that this topic has been already asked, but haven't found anything for Chinese agencies. I have answered to a job offer posted on proz, they sent me a translation test (one into my mothertongue, the other into English and they have explained me why) and at the end of the email they also write that before starting cooperation with them, as I am a formal freelance translator, they need a copy of my ID/passport. Shouldn't the VAT number be enough to show that ... See more Hello, I know that this topic has been already asked, but haven't found anything for Chinese agencies. I have answered to a job offer posted on proz, they sent me a translation test (one into my mothertongue, the other into English and they have explained me why) and at the end of the email they also write that before starting cooperation with them, as I am a formal freelance translator, they need a copy of my ID/passport. Shouldn't the VAT number be enough to show that I am a professional translator and pay taxes? I deal with many foreign agencies (although none in China) but none have ever asked me a scanned copy of my passport... Can someone advise or share experience? Is this normal? I am a bit concerned about it.... Thanks! ▲ Collapse | | |
Requesting passport number or any other personal information always rings the alarm bells with me. I immediately suspect identity theft. I may have received too many Nigerian 419 scams but better safe than sorry. | | | briski United Kingdom Italian to French + ... TOPIC STARTER
Tha agency has BB entries, 3 to be be exact, and they are all very positive. That's why I sent them my CV...eventhough in the offer, thay had alreday written they wanted a copy of the passport/ID. Maybe in China this is a normal procedure... | | |
briski wrote: I have answered to a job offer posted on proz, they sent me a translation test (one into my mothertongue, the other into English and they have explained me why) and at the end of the email they also write that before starting cooperation with them, as I am a formal freelance translator, they need a copy of my ID/passport. Can someone advise or share experience? Is this normal? I am a bit concerned about it.... Thanks! I do know what agency you are talking about: I have also contacted them. I agreed to send them a copy of my scanned ID/passport as soon as I get the first job from them but I refused to do their tests (and it was an absolutely correct decision as it turned out that the rates they offer are lower than mine). | |
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Didn't happen to me | Apr 16, 2008 |
I work for many Chinese/Taiwanese/HK agencies and don't remember being ever asked for a passport copy. So this surely isn't typical Chinese requirement. And I can't imagine why they would need that for? Anni | | | MariusV Lithuania Local time: 09:32 English to Lithuanian + ... no need for that passport | Apr 19, 2008 |
briski wrote: Hello, I know that this topic has been already asked, but haven't found anything for Chinese agencies. I have answered to a job offer posted on proz, they sent me a translation test (one into my mothertongue, the other into English and they have explained me why) and at the end of the email they also write that before starting cooperation with them, as I am a formal freelance translator, they need a copy of my ID/passport. Shouldn't the VAT number be enough to show that I am a professional translator and pay taxes? I deal with many foreign agencies (although none in China) but none have ever asked me a scanned copy of my passport... Can someone advise or share experience? Is this normal? I am a bit concerned about it.... Thanks! I deal with a dozen of agencies from China and they NEVER EVER asked passport copies nor anything else data except for the data that was on invoices. What they need that passport copy for? Passport data is SENSITIVE personal information and I think it should not be given to anyone "from the Internet". Esp. when such info is not needed for agency-translator cooperation. | | | lbone China Local time: 15:32 Member (2006) English to Chinese + ...
briski wrote: Tha agency has BB entries, 3 to be be exact, and they are all very positive. That's why I sent them my CV...eventhough in the offer, thay had alreday written they wanted a copy of the passport/ID. Maybe in China this is a normal procedure... This is not a normal procedure in China. Formal agencies in China usually would request 1) a short test 2) background introduction in the form of CV or just a short descriptioin 3) contact information But SELDOM (not never) such things as ID or passport. One company asked me for my ID, I refused, and they kept working with me without mentioning that again. Their explanation was they would list me as their employee and they need the ID to transfer fund to my account from their company account in the way of employer paying employee. I am sure at least 95% Chinese agencies do not need it. | | |
- I think it's the same agency. I did their test, and we are now discussing rates, because they are too low. My passport has expired, but they would still like a copy of it, they say it's to check that I am actually a native speaker of Danish. Could you perhaps erase the passport no. before you send it to them? I googled them and all I could find is that they are VERY active in trying to recruit - I guess because they don't pay very well. I have had a nice ... See more - I think it's the same agency. I did their test, and we are now discussing rates, because they are too low. My passport has expired, but they would still like a copy of it, they say it's to check that I am actually a native speaker of Danish. Could you perhaps erase the passport no. before you send it to them? I googled them and all I could find is that they are VERY active in trying to recruit - I guess because they don't pay very well. I have had a nice correspondance with them and I think they are genuine - just different ▲ Collapse | |
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I dont think such request necessarily means cheating, but it seems not a regular way to do so. | | | Allesklar Australia Local time: 18:02 English to German + ...
One funny thing about Asian agencies is that western clients contact them, because they expect cheaper rates. The Asian agencies however are drawing on the same pool of translators as all the others, because there aren't that many native speakers of western languages in their countries. In the end you are a western translator, working for a western end client at Asian rates. That's globalisation for you Still, I did a... See more One funny thing about Asian agencies is that western clients contact them, because they expect cheaper rates. The Asian agencies however are drawing on the same pool of translators as all the others, because there aren't that many native speakers of western languages in their countries. In the end you are a western translator, working for a western end client at Asian rates. That's globalisation for you Still, I did a couple of jobs for some Chinese agencies when I started out, just to get some experience. They didn't ask me for my passport or anything and they did pay, but there were always some hassles with every job, such as small changes to the source text which they wanted me to translate for free, the asked me to "proofread" machine translations at even more ridiculous rates, source texts would contain some totally incomprehensible Chinglish etc. So when I get contacted by Asian agencies, I offer them the same rates as everyone else and don't hear from them again, but I haven't looked back. ▲ Collapse | | |
Allesklar wrote: there were always some hassles with every job So when I get contacted by Asian agencies, I offer them the same rates as everyone else So do I. Sometimes a bit higher because of the mentioned usual hassles... | | | To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator: You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request » Chinese translation agency asking for Passport/ID number Anycount & Translation Office 3000 | Translation Office 3000
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