SOC. SEC. FOR JOB APPRecently, I have experienced some online job applications requesting my Soc. Sec.#. The application process will not allow you to move further until you provide your Soc. Sec #. From what is indicated on the website the application is "secure" but the idea of providing this information is troublesome. Especially if the applications get automatically downloaded to someone's printer that's belching them out throughout the night. With Identity Theft on the rise these days, I am very suspect when asked for this information. What does it have to do with getting the interview process started? Surely, there are many ways HR can screen out initial applicants without having to give up your number. Suggestions? Have you tried putting in all zeros, or 00-11-0000? Of course the risk of doing this is that when they actually review your application it gets bypassed because it doesn't have the required information. I do agree with your logic on this though. Technically they aren't supposed to be using your SS# anyway, it is only for the government's use. If there is a space for an explanation you could put something formal in such as "SS# available when an offer and background check is required for identity confirmation."
Yes, I was thinking of just putting some made up number to fill the spaces. What happens though if that number is attached to a different name? Not good. I guess it's better to have tried and failed than to have never tried. Of course, with online applications you never know how long the process will be. One page of click on the box or seven pages of boxes, buttons and essay. IF, there is a space somewhere to write in (maybe I include it at the beginning of the cover letter) I think your suggestion would work. Thanks.
If you feel the company is reputable enough to work for, then you shouldn't have a problem giving them your SS# now. They're going to have all that and more if they hire you. If you don't believe they will take good care of it now, then why would you even apply there? And with an electronic application, if you don't provide it, you won't even get a screen. If you make up a number you're going to create huge problems and lose the job.
Tess Yes the companies I've looked into are legit. I don't have a problem giving them my SS# IF I'm hired. But in the initial process I'm just looking for an INTERVIEW. Last year I was hired by a company. While sitting at my desk an HR person came into the office and asked for my SS# for payroll purposes. I wasn't going to say it out loud and was definitely not going to write it down on some scrap of paper. I was a bit upset at this and walked into the HR dept to give it in person. Good move. As it turned out, the initial person who came into the office requesting my SS# was a TEMP! It seems more and more these days giving out your private info is expected. Like it's no big deal. Why does some woman need to give out her phone# in order to get "Club Card" savings while standing in line at the grocery store? So she can get the "savings" AND "harassment" from the guys who wrote down her number? I can't see why you think they're going to take better care of it when you're an employee than when you're an interviewee, but if you want to live in that day dream feel free. You can refuse to give a number, but that will knock you out of the running for a lot of jobs. That's your choice.
Tess I ran into that situation many times when I was applying for a job thru an on-line website for a company I wished to work at. I thought it was amusing the first time I logged in and saw a big red warning complete with explanation points that said, "For your protection, do not give out your social scurity number to any on-line application site" and then the very first page of the actual application, I was asked for my ssn. This is what I did for them an what I did for any subswquent company who wanted me to input personal information that I am not comfortable giving out. !!!!!!!!!!!!!I called them!!!!!!!!!!! I looked in the "contact me" section of the website and found a contact number. If not a number, then an address which I could look up either in yellowpages.com or in the white pages of my phone book. Sometimes, I even got the phone number from the operator herself. (411 will do that). I explained to the receptionist why I was calling and was transferred to a person who could assist me. I am a big supporter in contacting a company either by phone or email (preferably by phone) if there is a problem with their website or with the information I have to give out. I have called many companies and, with the exception of one, I have always had very good results ranging in being given detailed instructions for overcoming a glitch in the website to actually being invited to the company to utilize their computers and check out the companys internal postings. I have been invited to speak with hiring managers over the phone and I have been asked to attend impromptu interviews. Calling allows the company to put a voice to a name and further indicates an apparent interest that is above and beyond that of the ordinary job applicant who just wants to fill out the application and go on to the next company. If the company does not have "the time to respond" that indicates a disrespct and unprofessional demeanor toward the job and the job seeker and I certainly don't want to work at a company where I am going to be made to feel as if my opinions or questions are "wasting someones time". They may not take care of my SS# in either case. At least if I'm working for them and something happens I can take action. Giving up my SS# in addition to other details about me and getting NOTHING in return (no interview) hardly seems worth it. Why is it some companies can filter the initial crowd through other means and other companies need to get every morsel of your existence? Is my SS# really THAT important for them to have in order to offer me the "initial interview"? Kelly, Yes, I completely agree with your suggested plan of action to Call Them! Probably the safest way around the SS# issue. Let's them know this is a concern among applicants and they may choose to revise their application. Thanks. I do computer security and your fears are real and the danger is also very real.
If you want the job you could put in all zeros.
The web site you went to may have been phished. As in you think you are on a company web site but you are really on a hackers web site that looks just like a companies site. One thing I know is when companies cut costs a lot of times security is the first to be cut. I can’t count how many times I have heard there is nothing on our site worth hacking into.
Now suppose you are on that real web site and it is a secure connection. What happens to that information after you hit the enter key is unknown to you. Here is VERY possible scenario. There is a person who does temp HR work and goes from company to company doing low level work. What their real job is collecting personal information on everyone they can. After getting all the important information they wait six months so no one can trace it to them and then sell it on the internet for $20 per name. This type of crime is the fastest growing and it is hitting epidemic levels. The best criminals are so charming or look so inept you would never suspect them.
A few years ago I was going to apply for a job and they told me I had to fill out a form online with a company that would first investigate me. I was a little paranoid and passed on it. Well my fears were well founded because someone hacked into that site and stole a lot of personal information.
Companies pretty much get off Scott free when they find out they have been hacked. All they usually offer people is six months of free credit reporting. If someone has stolen your identity, your life will turn into a living hell. The credit reporting agencies operate under Napoleonic law as in you are guilty until proven innocent. Some one had stolen my identity and charged up a storm. I have a folder an inch thick of letters and reports on this. I was getting no help what so ever from anyone. Finally after talking to a family member they told me to file a police report and write to the credit card company and request a copy of the signed application and all charges. This got it off one agencies report but six months later it was on another agencies report. The police told me this type of crime is rampant and when they call the credit card company and the credit reporting bureaus, they get no help. The way I finally got it off my report for good is the statue of limitations ran out. | |
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