Job-seekers: Could Your Personal Information Be Stolen?
Could you have your personal information stolen when you apply for a job? In a down economy where jobs are hard to come by, it appears some people will do just about anything for work—identity theft included.
The CBS news affiliate in Durant, Oklahoma, reports that James Matthew Chandler had his personal information stolen while applying for a job at J.C. Potter, a local sausage company. Another man used Chandler’s name, Social Security number and birthday to apply for the same job—and was actually hired!
Months after not receiving the job, the real Chandler received a letter from the Department of Human Services asking for employment status and income information to verify benefits. That letter was intended for the man who stole Chandler’s identity and tipped Chandler off to the crime. The identity thief had been working for months at J.C. Potter using Chandler’s stolen personal information.
Chandler immediately contacted the local police department and sheriff’s office, but when officials went to question the man at his place of work, he had already fled.
So far, Chandler’s credit has not been affected, and it appears the identity thief was simply out to gain employment status. But only time will tell all the repercussions.
Job-Seekers: Safeguard Your Personal Information
When job-hunting, remember these tips to ensure you won’t have your personal information stolen:
1. Don’t include sensitive information on your resume. Let the employer know you can provide your birthday, Social Security number and home address during the interview.
2. Review the privacy policies and terms and agreements of online job boards. Make sure they won’t share your information or resume with third parties.
3. Keep a detailed record your job hunt. Keep track of all the information you’ve sent to all potential employers and everything you’ve posted on job boards.
Beyond these measures, an identity theft protection service with credit monitoring is the most effective way to watch for suspicious activity and take immediate action should your personal information be stolen.
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