Beware of online identity theft while searching and applying for a job. Even the government has recently issued warnings regarding criminals taking advantage of vulnerable job seekers during these high rate unemployment periods. There have been recent reports of criminals posing as potential employers and requesting more personal information from candidates such as social security number and date of birth leading to job seeker identity theft. Many people fall victim to this scam because they think the request is legitimate, and the information is needed for a background check or other hiring requirement.

If you suspect that this has happened to you, it’s important to closely monitor your credit reports for any suspicious activities. This can be achieved with online tools that are relatively inexpensive. You can also sign up with a credit repair agency that will help you manage and monitor this situation closely, hopefully preventing any further damage and ensuring that your credit gets back on track. There is no need to panic, as with both of these mistaken identity situations there are steps that can be taken to fix the problem.

Identity theft has been a hot topic in recent years. We’ve all heard the news stories about large banks, businesses and government agencies that have had thousands - if not millions - of personal identities stolen from their databases. Perhaps you have been the victim of identity theft yourself, or you know someone who has been. You are not just a minor statistic. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) estimates that more than 9 million Americans each year will have their Identities stolen or compromised in some way.

For some reason, Americans often feel the need to carry their social security cards in their purse or wallet. Not only is this extremely unsafe in regards to an identity theft risk, but it’s simply unnecessary. Keep your social security card and number stored away in a safe, preferably locked, place.

The best way to deal with identity theft is to simply avoid it. This means taking some basic steps. Most of us have been trained to buy things with plastic. If you can, go with cash instead. Most of us can’t, so at least try to use only credit cards. Debit cards have much less protection, so avoid using them with retailers and online like the plague. You are just asking for problems.

Analyze your credit report at least once a year for accuracy. Your credit report contains information about present and prior employers, your Social Security Number, all of your current and past credit accounts including and your general credit score. Report any inaccuracies to the credit reporting agency immediately.

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Tags: Identity Theft