Online resumes create ID theft risk
Thu Oct 23, 2008 1:27PM EDT
See Comments (25)
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.
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Comments on Online resumes create ID theft risk
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7 Posted by drty_old_man on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:48PM EDT Report Abuse
The biggest problem with posting an on-line resume is that the headhunters get it in their files and you get offers forever (assuming you have a marketable skill and are not looking for a fry-cook position at a fast food restaurant). Some of these headhunters send the job interest emails and they don't have a replyable email address so you can't ask them to take you off their list without a phone call. On the other hand, people looking for degreed and skilled professionals are very tech savvy and use web-based personnel searches extensively. If you are looking for the six figure job, its probably wise to be posted and be willing to relocate.
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8 Posted by cdrotar on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:20PM EDT Report Abuse
All comments make a valid point. Our own government encourages fraud by requiring a social security number when applying for a government job. A job applicant has no control over who has access to that information. I think all employers, including our government, should assign an identification number on all job application submissions. The job applicant would retain that number for future reference. If the application turns into an interview, non-public personal information can be provided at that time. Then employers can do their background checks. But, who am I. I'm just Joe Plumber looking for a job.
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9 Posted by matt_quigley@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:11PM EDT Report Abuse
I see the scammers emails come in all the time. Their names or email addresses do not match the company there are supposedly working for or you're supposed to respond to a completely different email address.
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10 Posted by 2in1@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:42PM EDT Report Abuse
I forwarded this article to someone who had just informed me of the dangers of this. Namely, hackers look at these resumes, particularly for those in IT. They look at everything you've done and where, rather an open ticket for finding things to exploit. You might not think so, but additionally then you just may receive a telephone call from one of them pretending to be a headhunter or interested employer. They ask you questions, and then you give out more information on the phone about things you've done. Off they go to then compromise your current or former employers. Then if you've been real successful and have some high paying upper level positions and you have your address on the resume, you're letting anyone know where you live. With all that said, be careful!
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11 Posted by tranquiltouch@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:19PM EDT Report Abuse
I agree that we need to be careful about our information; but it is difficult when our SS# is on our health cards, asked for even by new doctor's offices; and when anyone who is registered with the state (usually at birth) can be found on sites like Zabasearch. I am appalled that I have found my relative's kids listed with their addresses. If you are willing to pay the fee, you can get everything else. Things are really bad when even the youngest ones in this country have no say in who can access their information.
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12 Posted by ramirezj005 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:27PM EDT Report Abuse
For my last job the only option was to apply online and to submit all your information online.
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13 Posted by sdlbred3 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:10PM EDT Report Abuse
If I have your last 4 digits, and your age, I can nail your SS#, especially if I know your place of birth, think about. just study how SS#'s are assigned. I don't put my ss on applications, and am considering not putting my DOB. The prelimanary handling of the application is done by minimum wage employees. Same with bank tellers, the information they have access to...
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14 Posted by lewisgr2002 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 6:50PM EDT Report Abuse
i even had the earthlink people . take my debit card information and use it to put on a 2.95 unauthorized payment and the bank chase charged me 42.00 for that check. i also wnet an ace cash express and also asked me for my s.s.n and also citi bank sheck and conoco asks for that also .. interesting deal..
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15 Posted by cdz12592 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:20PM EDT Report Abuse
Remember that, in addition to reading your resume, all employers will google your name. And if you were ever mentioned in a positive light in a newspaper or magazine or trade publication, then you can put that article online by using the website www.manageyournews.com and then google will pick up the article. Its a great way to publicize yourself anonymously. It worked for me.
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16 Posted by aleron0 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:49PM EDT Report Abuse
I think thats the dumbest thing in the world posting your resume on line. All I have to do is run a credit check on you and wall-la. I've got every thing I need to know about you....LOL Dumb real Dumb
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17 Posted by jumperkb on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:44PM EDT Report Abuse
While this is good advice, more and more employers are using third party sites for their online application process. The fact that HR seems to be infiltrated with cheap, entry-level idiots who can't think for themselves doesn't inspire much confidence either. I'd like to see this addressed in future articles. A) What's the safety of those providers? Can't be better, I would think. B) How can you apply without entering key information in the fields? In many cases it's required and "000-00-0000" doesn't always work.
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18 Posted by donaxemena on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:46PM EDT Report Abuse
I guess none here have tried to apply even at mcdonalds, pizza hut, or movie gallery. All of these places require that you give a copy of your ss card to them with the application. Incomplete applications are tossed. Many kids applying for jobs dont know this and have their identies stollen long before they even know what credit really is. Its not just online that we have problems. I recently applied to a company who required you do everything online including the interview. I didnt pursue the job because of trust concerns with my info but others will and do.
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19 Posted by andybnuts on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:54PM EDT Report Abuse
Anybody can open a phone book and get names and address's. If you're stupid enough to pass out your SS# and DOB then you deserve it if your ID is stolen.
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20 Posted by jovannguyen on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:41PM EDT Report Abuse
This is a very informative article. Just when you are trying to make yourself noticeable for employers, those thieves stop by and take advantage of the situation. Either way, I highly doubt posting one's information online will increase the probability of getting called in for an interview. The unemployment rate is high and when desperation kicks in we make ourselves vulnerable to identity thieves. If you have a SnagAJob.com account, remove some of your information NOW!
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21 Posted by jovannguyen on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:41PM EDT Report Abuse
This is a very informative article. Just when you are trying to make yourself noticeable for employers, those thieves stop by and take advantage of the situation. Either way, I highly doubt posting one's information online will increase the probability of getting called in for an interview. The unemployment rate is high and when desperation kicks in we make ourselves vulnerable to identity thieves. If you have a SnagAJob.com account, remove some of your information NOW!
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22 Posted by jsnvrhees on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:43PM EDT Report Abuse
i apply online all the time...i havent had any problems yet..but if anyone is applying online...which i assume is everyone looking for a job...u cant submit your application without providing personal info...its a scary thing to think about. best thing i can think of is to check your credit and all personal info out..if anything isnt to your liking let the proper ppl know about it. ive applied to a dozen places over the past 2 weeks online. u just cant submit your app without providing ur ssn or dob or address info. id like to think im smart enough to recognize a proper site tho. i hope u all are the same
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23 Posted by pattyfitz64 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:01PM EDT Report Abuse
Great! NOW YOU TELL US!THANK YOU SO MUCH!
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24 Posted by doc69weed on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:45PM EDT Report Abuse
I'd have to agree that in posting a resume none of the personal ID stuff belongs there, how ever in responding to an ad on line they all wnat the ID stuff so they can check you out. That's BS they won't check eveyrone who applies that would not be cost effective, but it's another weeding out method. I thing bob1 is right they should hold the security check for the people they intend to offer the job based on interviews after the resume search and it should be a point of law, the internet is still so new that we don't have proper controls in place to prevent someone from posting an ad for thier own purposes.
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25 Posted by sch_58 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:08PM EDT Report Abuse
If this is such a big problem then why have we gotten to the point of the only way to find a job is on the internet? And why do we need H.R. people in our companies if we need to go thru employment services, when we as prospective employees have to do their jobs (keep calling, doing their foot work) this new tech. is the worst thing to happen.
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6 Posted by sheneq on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:19PM EDT Report Abuse
I've just moved to the US from the UK and it is customary to list a lot of information on a resume or CV. They often list their marital status, hobbies, date of birth, nationality and references. I've lived in Singapore as well and it is customary to include a lot of details and a picture of yourself! It's really stupid and old fashioned. I would never include such things on a resume.