Gap Reports Theft of Laptop Containing Personal Information
by Heather Wells (Recovery Advocate)
800,000 applicants for employment with the Gap may have had their personal information compromised, according to a September 29, 2007 article in SFGate.com written by Carolyn Said.
1) Your Social Security Number
2) Date of Birth
3) Driver’s License Number
If a company requests any of this information simply write “see below” and then add a note at the bottom of the application stating that you would “be happy to give this information during the interview process.” Explain to your potential employer that you are simply protecting yourself from the threat of Identity Theft.
In general, employers do not make a hiring decision based solely on looking at an application or resume and they do not need this info unless they are truly interested in hiring you. The same goes applying for a job over the phone. Explain to the person taking down your name and work experience that you don’t feel comfortable giving up so many other personal details on the telephone. You never know where your information could end up, on an unsecured computer or desktop, in a trashcan, or even worse, in the hands of an id thief!
