Online resumes create ID theft risk

You are of course well-advised to keep your resume up to date these days, what with the economic malaise and rampant layoffs. It's probably a good idea to post it to online job services and apply for interesting jobs here and there... you know, just in case.

Sadly, online job applications are also a great entry point for crooks looking to steal a few identities: All it takes is a fake job posting and you can net dozens of names, addresses, and even more personal identification like birth dates and even Social Security Numbers. In a recent experiment conducted in the UK, police and security agencies posted a fake job opening for a nonexistent company. A simple web search would have revealed the organization didn't exist, but nonetheless it received 107 applications for the job.

Of the resumes received, 91 percent included the applicant's full address, 57 percent the date of birth, and 19 percent offered full references, "putting others at risk." According to the study, 61 percent of the applications contained enough information about the person to apply for a credit card in their name. Astonishingly, per the Money.co.uk story linked above, "one application even detailed the applicant’s passport and national insurance number."

The story doesn't mention the issue, but posting your resume online can be an even bigger problem, since just about anyone can access it on demand. While it isn't a bad idea to keep your resume online, consider what information you make public. Does a potential employer really need your address and phone number before ever meeting you? If location is a concern consider just listing the city you live in. For most people, a simple email address should be enough for anyone to get in contact with you about employment.

LINK: CV Fraud Risk for Job Hunters