Melissa ? asked:
Okay, im a little paranoid. filling out job applications and signing up for the ACT online both ask for my social security number. how do i know that a worker at the job i am appling is not going to see my ss# or the boss wouldnt use my ss# to steal my identity? is your ss# the only thing thefts need to steal your identity? what else, if anything, do they need (other than ss)?
identity theft
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They look 4 a way to steal you idetity so that means they are gonna try to get rid of you or something..
Wow, you are not paranoid, you are SMART!!!
And you are very forward thinking–what a great question!
Here is your answer—use only the last four digits of your social security number. That’s all. And if you’re using these dig’s for any pins, then change them NOW!
You know… the other day I went to apply for a job and got an app and brought it home. NOT thinking that it was already filled out by another person, I went to fill it out… I was SOO pissed I went to the place and B *itched and said that it was an irresponsible act of them to do that… and that if HER SS# was on that app any BAD person could’ve screwed up her credit and shit like that. IF you are definately scared you can NOT put ur SS# on the app and write that you’ll will give it in person due to security issues.? I guess… I know today I gave an application to a BOSS and told him to PLEASE put it in his office where NO ONE can actually get a hold of it and I told him what had happened with the other APP I had. He was like are you serious? I was like yea… and so i followed him and saw him place it in his office. But yeah.. you could even ASK at the counter to where you’d bring ur app and ask for a BOSS/MANAGER and talk to them and let them know where you are coming from and if they actually offer you the job u’ll write ur SS# down? Good luck with it.
*It’s NOT only your SS# they look for. ANY given information… like your NAME address… any bank info… anything… All they gotta do is be SMART enough to figure it all out. I shred all my papers I throw out… anything and I try to mix it into different bags of garbage so no one can piece it back together… (too many tv shows I know… lol)… so yeah. BE careful that’s all.
you have a right to be paranoid. a lot of times when you fill out a app for something like credit, the things on your normal job application like recent or former addresses, name changes, years at address or job, etc are things thieves need to become “you”. unfortuantely some of these things are required so i am not sure how to get around it.
Due to FACTA (Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act) law an employee and employer can be sued if an employee of a company gets NPI (Non Public Information) and causes someone harm.
For more info on Identity Theft and how to protect yourself go to:
You are not paranoid….if the ACT is asking for your SSN on-line before you have even spoken to them….be very wary….your SSN is not required to apply for a job.
Most time employers want it upfront so they can run a background check on you later (right before a salary offer), but they m-u-s-t disclose that on the application and must get your written consent….otherwise it’s illegal.
Regarding the type other information identity thieves look for, it’s usually the (4) pieces of minimal information required to open up “instant” credit:
1) SSN (Social Security Number)
2) DOB (Date of Birth)
3) Full Name
4) Full Address (Street, City, State, & Zip Code)
After those big four pieces, they will also try to get your mother’s maiden name and or a home phone number – both of which can easily be retrieved from birth certificates and on-line directories.
Finally, for the employer who discloses or looses your SSN to identity theft, they could be subject to fines and lawsuits as part of the protection of your rights under the FACTA law.
For more information on how you can understand FACTA as a employee benefit to applying with a prospective employer, here’s a more detailed article you can check out (see resources).