It’s time again for a flock of newly minted grads to set their sights on entering the workforce. This means they could also set themselves up to be the targets of identity thieves. There are a few simple rules they should follow to make sure this doesn’t happen to them.
- Be careful what jobs you apply to. If you’re looking for work on a website such as monster.com or craigslist, be aware that some of the job postings may be scams. Some scammers post job ads so that they can collect resumes, which usually contain names, phone numbers, addresses and email addresses – great information to use or sell. It can be hard to recognize a job as a scam at times. Good ways to tell are if the listing doesn’t show the name of the company or any contact information besides an email address, if there are numerous spelling errors in the ad, or if it’s written in all capital letters. When in doubt, send a quick email asking to find out the name of the organization. Do not use your primary email address.
- Watch how your Social Security number is used. While you will have to supply your SSN when hired if you desire to get paid, make sure it’s only used for IRS reporting purposes. Some companies have the bad habit of using SSNs as employee ID numbers. If this is the company policy, ask HR if you can use an alternate number instead. It’s not uncommon to lose your badge, and you don’t want to lose your identity in the process.
- Lock up personal belongings at the office. While building trust and camaraderie at the workplace is important, that trust should only go so far. It’s not smart to leave your wallet or purse lying around, even within the office. Either lock them in a desk drawer or lock your office altogether when you’re not there. It only takes a few seconds for your personal items to walk away.
- Password protect your computer and log out when you are not using it. Always keep an eye on your laptop, if applicable. Identity thieves can get a lot of personal information from your hard drive.
Starting that first real job can be exciting, but that is no excuse to neglect being vigilant about the safety of your personal information. Remember that there are 10 million victims of identity theft in this country every year. A lot of them are younger people, who often have the hardest time getting their names cleared.