Identity
Theft and Your Online Job Search
(c) Copyright , Sharon Davis
While identity theft is nothing new, the Web has opened up whole
new world of opportunity for identity thieves.
According the FBI, identity theft is the top online fraud. The
U.S. Federal Trade Commission says that identity theft is it's
number one source of consumer complaints - 42 percent of all
complaints, in 2001.
The thief will use your personal information to open credit card
accounts, cell phone accounts, open bank accounts in your name and
write bad checks-leaving the victim with the bills and ruined credit
ratings. Identity thieves may pose as representatives of banks,
Internet service providers and even government agencies to get you
to reveal your Social Security number, mother's maiden name,
financial account numbers and identifying information.
In
a recent article, MSNBC reported the case of a man who
fell victim to a fraudulent job listing that was posted at
Monster.com. According to the article:
"It was just the job lead Jim needed: a marketing manager
position with Arthur Gallagher, a leading international insurance
broker. And only days after Jim responded to the job posting on
Monster.com, a human resources director sent along a promising
e-mail. We're interested in you, the note said. The salary is
negotiable, the clients big. In fact, the clients are so valuable
and sensitive that you'll have to submit to a background check as
part of the interview process. Eager for work, Jim complied- and
sent off just about every key to his digital identity, including
his age, height, weight, Social Security number, bank account
numbers, even his mother's maiden name."
Jim spent the day canceling his credit cards, checking his
balances and contacting the credit bureaus, but he's concerned that
his information is now "out there".
There are warning signs that can tip you off to fraudulent job
listings. While these items don't necessarily mean that the listing
is a scam, they are indications that you should do further checking.
- Incorrect grammar and spelling errors
- Phone or fax number area codes don't match the address given
- Unrealistic salary
Online job databases are not the only places that identity
thieves cruise for personal information. In recent indictments
across the U.S., individuals have been charged with obtaining and
using personal information through various ways. In Miami, two
individuals were indicted for illegally tapping the computer
networks of restaurants using the cover of a dummy corporation. A
clerical worker at the New York State Insurance Fund pilfered office
files and used stolen identities (of people across the country as
well as fellow office workers) to obtain goods and services. A
phlebotomist at Kaiser Permanente admitted to using the personal
information of patients and employees in order to open credit card
accounts in various names.
Recently, an FTC investigation into a work-at-home scheme spawned
an incredible "scam-within-a-scam" when a man pretending to be an
FTC employee emailed hundreds of the scam's victims. He requested
personal information stating that it was to be used as evidence in
the case.
While it's impossible to completely eliminate the chances of
becoming a victim, you can minimize the risk by putting the
following to practice:
- If a would-be employer asks you for any personal information
you should ask them for their contact information and then
separately look up the company's information and contact them to
verify that they actually exist. While it's not unusual for an
employer to ask for certain work-related information (like your
work history and former employers), it is not appropriate for them
to ask for personal information (like a social security number)
unless you are actually being hired (and you've checked them out
to make sure they're legitimate). Even then, you should never be
asked for financial information such as a credit card number.
- On online resumes, never include your social security number
and keep even your work history brief.
- Check your credit card statements often. Believe it or not,
many people never even check them!
- Be sure to follow up with creditors if your bill doesn't
arrive on time. A missing credit card bill may mean that an
identity thief has changed your billing address to cover their
tracks.
- Order your credit report from one of the major credit bureaus
each year and verify that everything is correct.
What to do if you've been a victim of identity theft:
The FTC maintains Consumer Sentinels Identity Theft Data
Clearinghouse, the nations repository for identity theft complaints.
The FTC established the Identity Theft Toll-Free Hotline,
1.877.IDTHEFT (1.877.438.4338) and the ID Theft Website (www.consumer.gov/idtheft)
to give identity theft victims a central place to report their
problems and receive helpful information.
The Internet Fraud Complaint Center (IFCC) is a
partnership between the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and
the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C). You can use their
online system to file a complaint.
--------------------------------
Sharon Davis, Work-At-Home expert, author and consultant,
helps people to achieve their goal of working at home,
telecommuting or starting a home business.
www.2Work-At-Home.Com
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