Identity Theft and Your Online Job Search

When I need information about identity theft, I can always count on the FTC website. They have a whole section for people who are researching or writing about identity theft. Today I found a nifty tool from OnGuard Online: The ID Theft Faceoff. It's a quiz that tests your knowledge of ID theft. The quiz itself is not a comprehensive training tool, but it's fun to see if you get all the questions right- and get your face back…you'll see what I mean

The main identity theft area for consumers is here and this is the page I'm talking about for you information hounds.

Phishing is one of the most common ways that people can try to steal your identity. Watch the video below to learn more about it.

This is good stuff, don't wait until you've been burned. Educate yourself now.

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.

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.