How to Protect Your Personal Information When Looking for Work in Today’s Economy

Unemployment continues to be a top issue in the US, so it’s
not surprising that some job seekers will do whatever it takes
to gain employment. This “desperate times call for desperate
measures” approach has, unfortunately, attracted the attention
of identity thieves and scammers, taking full advantage of what
they perceive as a lucrative venture. Phishbucket.org, an online
clearinghouse of job scam information, states the number of
reported job scams tripled between 2008 and 2010.

There is, however, some good news for job seekers –
understanding the risks before you begin your job search will
not only help you avoid identity theft, it can make your job
search more productive, too.
Here the Investigators of the Fraud Solutions division of Kroll
outline some of the key factors job seekers should keep in mind
to protect their personal information during the job search
process.

» Remember: your resume is a hot commodity. Resumes
are an essential tool for someone looking for a job. They
reveal a lot about you and your professional background
– information which is important to potential employers.
Still, there are some items that should never be disclosed,
particularly if you intend to post your resume on career
websites. Social Security Number (SSN), driver’s license
number, and date of birth should never appear on a resume.
The same goes for job applications: you might consider
writing “prefer to provide this information during the
interview” in the fields where these pieces of personal
information are requested.

» Proceed cautiously with career websites. Not all job posting
websites are created equal. Make sure you review the
privacy policy and user terms and agreements before you
post your resume on a career website. You may also want
to do some online research to ensure that the site you are
working with is credible. When in doubt check with online
resources such as The World Privacy Forum’s Consumer’s
Guide to Online Job Sites. That said, it’s important to
remember that no matter how credible the site or how well
it safeguards the data it keeps, no one can guarantee what
happens to your resume after it has been downloaded by
a recruiter or potential employer. For that reason, you may
want to inquire if the site allows you to mask your name
and contact information, thus giving you the ability to
choose who can and cannot contact you.

» Know how to spot bogus job ads. Job-related identity theft
scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Despite the
best screening efforts used by career sites, scammers seem
to find a way in. You might be looking at a fake job ad if it:
- Offers considerable pay with few to no duties
- Promises payment of wages in cash
- Contains no physical address or contact person
- Requires you to open a new bank account or accept
company checks to “test” a wire transfer service

Most employment sites offer information on known scams, and
should be notified immediately if you suspect that a posted job
isn’t legitimate. You can also conduct an internet search on the
company or check with the Better Business Bureau to determine
if the potential employer has a bad reputation.

» Carry good data security practices with you offline. Keeping
personal information off a resume is only the first step—
other vulnerable situations include phone interviews, job
fairs, and e-mail and phone conversations with recruiters.
Scammers know that as long as someone thinks an offer
is genuine, they are more likely to provide sensitive
information. Make sure that you know who you’re talking
to and never divulge any personal information if you have
doubts about their credibility.  

Remember that virtually all
legitimate businesses or recruiters will not ask for your SSN
or other information until after you have begun a formal
interview process. A legitimate company should not ask
you to divulge personal identifiers via email as email is not
secure.

» Think before you post! Social networking sites are a great
way of communicating your talent and expertise with a
larger community of individuals. But sometimes staying
connected comes at a cost. What many do not realize is
that the more information you reveal online, the greater
your chances of having that information accessed by
the wrong person. Carefully consider what information
you include on your profile page. For example, is it really
necessary to share your date of birth and address with
potential employers? When in doubt, remember this: if
you wouldn’t give this information to a stranger on the
street – you probably don’t want to put it online for the
world to see.

» Secure your delivery channels. Before sharing information
online, make sure the computer or other device you
use is equipped with current anti-malware and other
appropriate security programs. In addition, use a secure
network. The coffee shop’s free wi-fi isn’t the best avenue
for reaching a potential employer because of the risk of
data being stolen en route.