With all the traveling I’ve done there’s been a small worry in the back of my mind. Well, there was a small worry, but it isn’t there any longer.
Identity fraud.
I’ve traveled all over the US. Receipts at gas stations, using strange 3rd party ATMs, etc. Somebody somewhere could have gotten my information through my travels. Fortunately that hasn’t happened. And I signed up to “LifeLock” for some extra protection. That’s why I don’t worry so much.
So why write about protecting your identity? I’m not worrying personally. But it is an issue, and it was brought up in a big way for me on Thursday.
One of the local organizations that I’ve applied to repeatedly got in touch on Thursday. I was thrilled to see an e-mail from an HR person at this business, but I was quickly stunned by what they had sent me.
What was sent were multiple resumes and multiple applications of candidates for another position currently open with the business. They were sent for “my review”. Clearly HR had mistakenly sent me this information. But how did they have my address………..? They must have been looking at my resume recently and had the address out. That’s my best guess.
So yesterday I gave them a call to let them know about the error. And I wanted to ask if they meant to get in touch with me for an interview. The person who took my call was not helpful on either count. “Please delete the message. I’ll look into your situation.”
Ummmm, you didn’t ask for my name or phone number, so how do you know who to contact regarding my situation? Clearly the woman was rattled. She was also pretty rude. And you know what, not my fault. They made the mistake, I just identified it and reported it like any honest person would.
Putting candidate information out to people who shouldn’t see it is a big no-no. We’ve all heard about security breaches at large companies, millions of customers’ data stolen or just given away. It’s bad press, bad for the clients or candidates, and speaks to the issue of poor information management. Sounds like they might need some help in that department…..too bad they never called me back.
After waiting all day for a response I got fed up. Another friend in town knows some “higher ups” in the organization, so I forwarded the e-mail to them. They need to be made aware that their staff is not taking care of candidates’ information. Heck, they could be accidentally sending my resume and confidential information out too! I don’t want that, and I don’t want it happening to anyone else.
So, just because you’ve covered yourself as best as possible when it comes to identity theft, don’t be totally comfortable. Your next employer could easily send all of your relevant data out accidentally. We’ve read about it, watched it on TV, and now I’ve seen it first hand.
Oh, and no call back for an interview either…..it’s a shame, I think they could really use my help!
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Idenity theft insurance is a must…especially these days!
The certainly DO need your help!
I tell you what…I would be so very angry if my personal information was sent to “someone” via the internet…or email. Especially if that someone was not at all involved in the hiring process and now had my private and personal information. I would also question the integrity of the institution that sent my information out as well…I understand we all make mistakes, certainly…but, what I don’t understand is the attitude of the employee who gets “caught” making a mistake and takes it out on someone who has nothing to do with the problem…especially and honest and confused person such as yourself…who was just wanting to alert them to what had happened and try to figure out why he was contacted in the first place. Obviously they were embarrassed and took it out on you, instead of really being concerned with their mistake. I am still shaking my head about them not calling you back about your “situation” (whatever that means?!)
It makes me wonder if you’re the only person that has “accidentally” gotten these people’s resumes? (I think I shall go check my IN box) I still wonder if the people who’s very private information you’re now in possession of, would like to know the place that they applied to has sent their private and personal information out randomly? I know I would if I was on that list.
It will be interesting to see what this organization is going to do about this…or IF they do anything at all. It sounds to me like they need to rethink the people they’ve hired in their HR department.