Employment identity theft is when another person uses your social security number to apply for a job under false pretenses. It’s often difficult to detect because there isn’t an immediate impact on the victim, so it can be hard for them to figure out what happened and who did it. Most people, only realize that something was wrong once the application failed, and then they start unraveling evidence that may point back at their perpetrator. In this article, we will discuss the signs of employment identity theft and what you can do to stay or get in the clear.
What is Employment Identity Theft?
Employment identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information, such as your name, SSN, or date of birth, without your knowledge or consent in order to gain employment. This can happen if an employee fails to report the theft of the identifying information that had been provided during the hiring process.
This is a serious problem in today’s society. In fact, there are some who argue that it is the most prevalent form of identity theft. There are many different scenarios where an individual may be at risk for this type of infraction. For example, a job interviewee could be using false data in order to pass their test and get hired into a position they’re not qualified for. Someone could also use false information in order to steal from you or commit other crimes by pretending to be you. There are many ways that this type of identity theft takes place and so it is crucial to protect yourself from these situations if you want to avoid becoming one of the statistics.
How it Happens
Employment identity theft happens when someone uses your personal information, such as your name, SSN, or date of birth, without your knowledge or consent in order to gain employment. This can happen if an employee fails to report the theft of the identifying information that had been provided during the hiring process. Here are a few scenarios that may indicate employment identity theft:
Limited-Term Offers
One scenario where someone may be at risk for this type of infraction is when an individual has a limited-term job offer. For example, a business may offer temporary work for a certain amount of time. If this individual does not report their identity theft within the allotted time frame, then they are guilty of employment identity theft.
Inaccurate Credentials
Another one is when an employer hires someone who has false or inaccurate credentials on their resume from their previous employers. This could also be considered employment identity theft if it is discovered later on in the process that these credentials are false or inaccurate.
Co-Workers
Without getting too cynical, the reality is that it’s much more likely that one of your colleagues at work could go through your personnel file to use it for personal gain than someone snooping around in a dumpster or the dark web. In fact, you’re more likely to be victimized by an employee who has access to confidential information about yourself and others due to the position he/she occupies.
Useful Tips for Prevention
Always Guard Your SSN
To keep your SSN safe, it is important to use a secure password manager that encrypts the information you store in it. Password managers are best at keeping sensitive documents such as your passport or financial documents like your SSN safe and making sure they aren’t accidentally revealed during an interview process or background check. Job seekers should also know that they can skip giving their Social Security Number (SSN) before applying for employment, waiting until after the job has been offered when instead an employer will collect this number on a separate “background check authorization form” rather than from any part of their application paperwork.
Confirm E-Verification
E-Verify is a web-based system that both employers and employees can use to verify employment eligibility. Employees are able to do their own checks for free, while employers can screen all prospective hires using E-Verify in order to ensure they have proper documentation prior to hiring them.
Verify Online Job Applications
Many job applicants complete online forms and often enter information like their Social Security Number or driver’s license number. Unfortunately, not all companies use a secure site to host these application forms and they can be easily hacked by scam artists looking for potentially lucrative data. In order to ensure your application form is protected from identity thieves, you should use VPNs with password managers that help boost your online security.