While You Desperately Apply for a Job!

In this period of economic downturn, you go on sending your resume in response to online advertisements for a job. While applying, you may not think much about the status of the employers. There may be some identity thieves lurking around and posing themselves as employers. Beware of their traps!
While sending your resume for any job you should remember the following tips -

1. If any potential employer asks more information for 'background check', you should not provide any information unless you see the employer personally. Some identity thieves may advertise online lucrative jobs at senior management level. When you submit your resume for such post, they will ask more information to do a background check, pretending that such a check is required due to the strategic nature of job. They may also ask you to supply information on your social security number, maiden name of your mother and even details of your bank account!

These thieves try to take advantage of desperate people and may pretend that the information is urgently required to proceed further.
Social security number is definitely required for employment, but you should give it only when you are interviewed personally and you are convinced that the employer is legitimate.

You should be firm in informing other 'employers' that you are not comfortable providing this kind of personal information unless a personal interview is taken. If they still insist, it is a strong indication that they are fraud.

2. Up to the time you are employed and getting your first salary, never pass on bank account number to potential employers. The bank account is only required when your present employer proposes to deposit your salary directly in your bank account. There is no other reason for which the employer will require your bank account number.

3. Remember, your employer will never ask you maiden name of your mother.

4. Prepare a standard resume, giving out minimum information necessary to apply for a job. More information can be given only after you are convinced about the credentials of the employer.

On many occasions, such fraud companies post their requirements online and ask for the resumes. Once they get sufficient number of resumes and personal information, these job postings will disappear and the telephone numbers will be disconnected. The prospective 'employer' will be at large, misusing the information collected.

You may find the about tips disturbing, but always remember that your safety cannot be compromised under any circumstances. Your identity is the base of your financial life and no one else should misuse it and ruin your life.