About questions on an employment application.

[TNDemo]

I was filling out an on-line application and they want all my information, including SS# and DOB, etc., so they can run a credit and background check. I have no idea whether I will get called for an interview. I am uneasy sending out this information to people I don't know and who might not ever interview me. Of course it will not complete the application unless I release them to do this. Should I let this out on the front end?

[ck4829]

1. Try calling them

Don't have to say who you are or anything, just quickly ask how the background check process works. My sister applied to a place where they say do a background check if and after you have a successful interview, but right now you're just giving them the authorization to do so. If it's legitimate, that's usually how they do it. If it's not legitimate, and I applied to a place like this years back, then they say they do a background check regardless.

[MineralMan]

2. Assess the company before doing that. Make sure you know

they are legitimately in business. There are some employment scams currently on the Internet that are collecting data this way. If you can't confirm the legitimacy of the company to which you're applying, do not provide this information. Do a google search on the company itself and make sure they're legit.

[Zenlitened]

3. DO NOT DO IT!

For those who are unemployed, the dangers are equal if not greater. Scammers don’t care if you’re already down on your luck. What they’re concerned about is gaining access to your personal information. So it’s not at all uncommon to for scammers to place ads for jobs that don’t exist and then try to coerce job searchers to provide personal and even financial information under the guises of getting what sounds like a great job.

It’s tough to protect yourself from data breaches, but you can protect yourself from employment scams if you’re actively seeking a job. Be cautious, as always. And understand how to protect your identity. Here are some tips to help you avoid employment and unemployment scams that can lead to identity theft:

* Guard your social security number. One employment scam that’s often seen is when job seekers are asked to provide their social security number before an interview so the company can do a preliminary background check. If this happens to you, politely refuse. Not only is this something that should immediately cause concern for you, but it’s illegal. Legitimate employers cannot do a background check until after they have interviewed you.

http://idtheft.about.com/od/theftmethods/a/EmploymentScams.htm

[TNDemo]

4. I should have added that

it is a company with an office not far from me and they are part of a larger corporation so they do actually exist. This business does need a background check to work there but I just don't know about handing it over up front before they agree to at least an interview.

[madrchsod]

5. you only hand over your social security number in person

never ever on line no matter who they are. they should`t ask for it online.