PR application, 5 years of pieces of paper really necessary?

[cuttingman23]

They ask for bank statements, surely they call the bank to verify. Same for council tax, call and verify. And same for p60s, call the company or HMRC and verify.

So why ask for physical documents that can be faked?

[secret.simon]

Two words; Data Protection.

It would be a bit scary if anybody can call up my bank and get my bank balance or call up my council to check on whether I am paying council tax or not.

However, if you submit "pieces of paper", their veracity can be cross-verified with a bank or other organisation without getting any further details (i.e. they can verify whether the statement is genuine or forged, but not give the Home Office staffer my current bank balance).

Similarly, the HO does verify with the HMRC that the details that you proved in the application are true, not your ongoing income or other incomings.