Always ensure you know who will be processing the information contained in your C.V. Your C.V. contains a great deal of personal information about you which includes:
1.Your full name (it's not really necessary to give your middle name)
2.Your Age (never give your date of birth on the CV)
3.Current address (It is best to give just a town and the Postcode).
4.Your education history and qualifications
5.Your work and/or your private E-mail address
In the hands of the fraudster this can lead to identity theft.
Identity-theft is a when con artists ask for personal information that has nothing to do with landing a job but everything to do with stealing your identity and spending your money, taking out loans or buying goods in your name.
For example, it's normal for legitimate employers and recruiters to ask for details about you, which include:
Mailing address
Phone number
Education
Experience
Skills
Salary
Past and present employers
They may ask for other qualifications related to seeking employment however, it is not normal for them to ask for information unrelated to seeking employment. To avoid identity theft, always verify the Agency or Company that you are applying to, to ensure that they are who they claim to be. A simple check using the phone book, the internet, directory enquiries will verify that they are who they claim they are.
Never give out any information about yourself until you are satisfied your details are going to a legitimate employer and never provide the following information in an application form for a job or within your C.V.
Passport number
Social Security number
Driver's license number
Your photograph
Credit card or bank account numbers
Tax forms
Any other personal information not directly related to employment, such as your
Birth date or age
Gender
Hair and eye colour
Weight and height
Marital status and number of children
Further Information and Advice:
UK Home Office – Identity Theft
http://www.identity-theft.org.uk/protect-yourself.html
UK Home Office – Reducing Crime
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/crime-victims/
CIFAS – UK Fraud Prevention Office
http://www.cifas.org.uk/default.asp
Bank Safe Online
http://www.banksafeonline.org.uk
Information Commissioner's Office
http://www.ico.gov.uk
Unfortunately, in addition to con artists wanting to use your information for identity theft, there are also a number of fraudulent jobs in circulation that appear legitimate. However, once the unsuspecting victim has applied for the job, they soon become apparent that they involve opening accounts or becoming "Mystery Shopper" and depositing "cheques" and sending balances via Western Union or Moneygram – otherwise known as a Nigerian 419 Scam, or money laundering. Alarm bells should always ring for you, if you are asked to use your Bank Account for a business transaction!
Some will involve sending on parcels from your home address, which then turns out to be stolen goods that you are then handling for them, or you may be asked to pay a "finders fee" for the job or be expected to pay in advance for accommodation. The scams are many and varied and we would always advise you to be on your guard when you apply for a job with an Employer that you do not know. Try and do some research and stay safe, be cautious until you are happy you know who you are dealing with.
