I can remember after college when I would apply for jobs online and think nothing of it. The mere thought of having my identity stolen while trying to pursue a career didn’t even cross my mind! As we all know by now, identity theft is nothing new and is rapidly getting worse. Each year, millions of people cope with having their identities stolen. Not only do we have to be concerned about the information on our resumes, but also our CVs.
Most job seekers take a huge risk when searching for work. Most are so eager to start making money that they open themselves up to identity theft simply by providing more information than required. Criminals need just three out of fifteen key pieces of information to commit identity theft. The average CV contains eight pieces of personal data.
Many unwary job applicants are fooled by fake job postings that exist primarily to steal their identity. Millions of job-seekers carelessly post their sensitive personal information online. Criminals can use this information to wreak havoc. Educate yourself as much as possible so you know what to look for before it’s too late!
Below are some tips to remember when applying for work:
Be wary if the email address does not contain the name of the company but just the name of a service provider.
Take extra care when accessing personal information when using public computers, such as those in internet cafes, or when using a laptop in a WiFi hotspot.
Shred or destroy old copies of your CV.
Rather than using a traditional CV, think about using a free online CV service that helps safeguard your personal details.
Use a phone masking service to protect your personal number.
Think about whom you share your career information with, make sure they are a real business and when posting your information to the web or on a job board database, remember to use an Internet Safe CV. Adhere to the following to ensure your safety:
Do not include your date of birth.
Do not include your marital status.
Do not include your place of birth.
Only give your first and last name.
Use a telephone masking service so you don’t publish your private phone numbers.
Avoiding fraudulent postings will also help to save you the headache of becoming a victim during your job hunt. Many types of job postings are well-known scams. You should be wary of postings that advertise jobs for courier services and envelope stuffing. Jewelry making job openings should also raise a red flag. Similarly, applicants should be cautious about postings for overseas jobs. While they can potentially lead to valid employment opportunities, many of them have been designed to lure unsuspecting job applicants. Their goal is often to tempt job-seekers into providing their social security numbers, driver’s license numbers and even bank account information. Unfortunately, doing so can expose them to identity theft.
Keep an eye out for the following while searching for that next job opportunity:
1. Avoid providing sensitive information to potential employers until you’re convinced that a job opening is authentic. This can be extremely tricky for the mere fact that the scammers are becoming more and more sophisticated. According to Craigslist, many identity theft scams that have appeared on their website involve one or more of the following: an inquiry from someone far away, often in another country; use of companies that wire money, cashier’s check, money order, escrow service or similar instrument; and, a refusal by the other party to meet face-to-face before consummating a transaction.
2. If you’re unsure about a job posting, ask for references and check them. I would think the employer would appreciate the fact that you’re looking out for your best interest and are aware of the problems of identity theft. I believe this shows that you’re somewhat educated and not so eager to rush into something that you’re not 100% confident about. Legitimate companies will not ask you to provide or verify sensitive information through email.
3. Do some due diligence. Try to determine how long the company that is advertising a position has been in business. Find out if there are any complaints that have been filed with the Better Business Bureau.
4. Get every promise in writing before moving forward. I know all too often we get overly excited about a new job offering and want to send out our new hire information as soon as possible. A reputable company will always have agreements in writing; it’s nothing short of being professional and legit and will put your mind at ease once verified.
5. Protect your references to the best of your ability. It is best not to include names and contact information for references on your resume, which could potentially put personal or professional contacts at risk. Typically employers do not need this information until after the interview.
6. Create a separate email account dedicated specifically for your job search. This will help protect your privacy, as well as keep track of job search correspondence and applications.
Having your identity stolen while looking for a job can be devastating. But, if you avoid common job posting scams and take a few precautionary steps, you can avoid becoming an identity theft victim. You can then pursue legitimate job opportunities with reliable employers. Think about the information a potential employer needs to find your details, you can share your full CV at a later stage when you are comfortable with the identity of the company or person you are sharing the information with.
