YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER…JOB SEEKERS BEWARE

by Willette Coleman ©2014

People who are desperate for a job may give potential employers all kinds of personal information.  Should a copy – yes, a COPY – of their Social Security card – yes, CARD – be included?  Is it even legal?

That’s the question Marie (name changed) asked personnel at a temp-to-perm executive employment agency.  She had filled out the job application with her social security (SS) number, so why did the employer need a COPY of her card on file?  “You can’t work for us if we don’t have a copy,” the company’s associate stated flatly.  This was Marie’s first experience with an employer making this demand.  Usually recruiters looked at her card, then, initialed the application to confirm seeing it.  “What do you do with the copy?” Marie asked.  “We scan it into our system for E-Verify,” the associate quipped.  Marie almost laughed when the woman declared, “your information is secure.” 

Your Information is Secure…HA!

Charles C. Mann’s and David H. Freeman’s book, AtLarge, “blows the lid off the frightening vulnerability of the global online network, which leaves not only systems, but also individuals, exposed.”  According to the Pew Research Center, 11% of Internet users have had personal information stolen.  Studies also show that “21% of users had had an email or social network account compromised.”

In 2013, hackers stole millions of social security numbers and IDs, including First Lady, Michelle Obama (Michelle Obama's IDdetails hacked from data brokers), “Bill Gates, Beyonce Knowles, Jay-Z, Ashton Kutcher and many others,” before being shut down. 

According to experts, hackers break into systems numerous ways, from using computer programs like “Trojan horse” (spyware disguised to look like one of Unix’s or Windows’ legitimate components), that are available on the Internet, to obtaining or guessing “root-access, which, [experts say], is as easy as getting your or my password, because servers are often shipped from the factory loaded with supposedly default ‘backdoor’ passwords…” meant to be “used by vendor technicians….”  Also, hackers can access individuals’ PCs “through a PC in a nearby home or a neighborhood cable switch,” because “cable companies that provide home Internet access treat entire neighborhoods like one local-area network,” said Freeman.

You’d think that government agencies and financial institutions would be invincible, but “Banks get hit by cyberattackers all the time and typically have some of the best defenses against them. This time, they were outgunned,” David Goldman wrote in, Major Banks Hit with Biggest Cyberattacks in History.  The 2008 World Bank Hacked, Sensitive Data Exposed article reported, the bank had “had multiple hacks…..”  “If I were going into e-crime, I’d hit a bank,” said security specialist, Jon David, in Forbes Magazine‘s How to Hack A Bank.  Hacked companies include Sony, Google Inc., Lockheed Martin,  Target is still reeling from the 2013 security breach.

An employer (or anyone) who has a copy of your SS card - which contains your signature – puts your identity at risk.  In 2011, “More than 11.6 million adults became a victim of identify fraud in the United States,” Javelin Strategy & Research reported.  The risk is equally great when you put your SS number on online job applications.  Months before the 2012 tax season, applicants couldn’t submit H.R. Block’s job application without inputting their SS number.  Consequently, H.R. Block has and will receive hundreds, maybe thousands, of applicants’ SS numbers.  With many employers using resume scanners to search keywords and phrases to select compatible candidates, what’s the point of having SS numbers of individuals in whom there’s no interest?

Job scams, which go hand-in-hand with identify theft, are another reason to NOT put your SS number online, nor allow an employer to make a copy of your SS card.  Not all companies are as legit as they appear.  Even legitimate companies may – unknowingly - have an unscrupulous employee who steals IDs.  Considering the risk, you’d think that an employer’s common sense would dictate that having individuals’ SS cards – hard copy or online – poses a security threat.

CareerBuilder is among few job search databases that alert job seekers:  

“For your privacy and protection, when applying to a job online:

Never give your social security number to a prospective employer;

provide credit card or bank account information, or perform

any sort of monetary transaction.”  (Author’s emphasis.)

SS CARD COPYING  POLICY – LEGAL Or NOT?
Curious about the associate’s by-the-book spiel about “e-verify,” Marie learned that E-Verify is “an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee’s Form I-9 to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records to confirm employment eligibility.”

Her online search also revealed an employer that queried online human resource advisors whether it’s “illegal to make and keep copies of employees’ social security cards.”  Part of the reply stated:   “…the I-9 form specifically gives employers the right to make copies of the supporting documents the employee presents….”; it would “be unlawful for you to require that job applicants — as opposed to employees — fill out an I-9 or give copies of identity documents. That is why the I-9 is completed AFTER a job offer has been accepted, but before the employee has worked for 3 days.”  (Author’s emphasis.)  Since Marie was an applicant, not an employee, no one asked her to complete an I-9.  Yet, they wanted a copy of her SS card.  

While the I-9 form “gives employers the right to make copies of the supporting documents…,” (e.g., SS cards), under Section 2, on the I-9 form, it clearly states:  “Employers may, but are not required to photocopy the documents presented.”  (Author’s emphasis.)  Even had she been offered and accepted the job, the employer wasn’t REQUIRED to copy her card despite the recruiter’s emphatic reply to Marie’s email thanking them for the interview and confirming her refusal to allow them to copy her card.  Marie stood firm knowing that the employer’s “copying policy” is ILLEGAL.

In today’s “wired/wireless” world, when and where possible, I minimize threats to my personal information.  I don’t my put home address on my resume and marketing materials.  I have a P.O. Box.  As I stated in 6 TIPS TO AVOID JOB SCAMS, anyone, I mean ANYONE, can see where you live via electronic “maps.”  Research shows that twelve percent of users have been stalked or harassed.  Just having his email address on his resume, Tyrone (name changed) said he’s noticed an increase in spam urging him to: “Follow up on your job application,” or claiming “Job application status pending.”  The point is: He NEVER applied for a job to these individuals or entities.     

So, to be as safe as reasonably possible, take CareerBuilder’s advice and just say “no thanks” should an employer request your SS number online.  [NOTE:  Government online applications, such as www.usajobs.gov, force you to input your SS number.]  And, if an employer reaches for your SS card to make a copy, quote the I-9, Section 2  Homeland Security law. 

Share your thoughts on this issue.
Thanks for reading, and 

Magic, Miracles & Blessings,
Willette

14 STEPS to WRITING COMPELLING SCHOLARSHIP ESSAYS

by Willette Coleman ©2013

You’re responding to a college admissions application’s short response essay or applying for public and private scholarships.  Soon, you may find yourself staring into space contemplating: “How do I craft an essay that creatively addresses the standard queries – my college plans, career goals, future contributions to society, and show how the scholarship will help with my short and long term goals?”  You may feel some intimidation, confusion, fear; or all three.  Even with the addition of essay writing to SAT tests in 2006, many students still find writing challenging. 

Hundreds of annual scholarships worth millions of $$$ are unrewarded because of the fear of writing essays.  Instead of giving up and giving in to fear, EMPOWER yourself by using these 14 steps.

1.  Self-Empowerment.  You probably didn’t expect this to be among the steps, but composing compelling personal essays is best done from a strong self-awareness position.  To tell judges about you, YOU need to know your passion, skills, experiences, strengths and weaknesses, attitude, even hardships.  A self-assessment Me-Chart helps tremendously.  As your baseline/foundation to rethink, improve, modify and polish your language to fit each scholarship application you submit, your Me-Chart should include the 7 factors listed in my post, A Game Plan for Your Career Plan – Part 1.  This tool makes you think deeply to pinpoint your uniqueness, and empowers you to build strong essays.  

2.  Generic Essay.  After you’ve created your Me-Chart, draft a personal generic essay.  It’s your OPPORTUNITY to talk about YOU and GET YOUR THOUGHTS ON PAPER or in Word.  Writing in Word helps correct spelling, grammar and word count.  But, at this starting point, don’t stress over perfection.  Your generic essay may consist of all or only some of the factors in your Me-Chart.

3.  Read your draft and begin shaping your essay like sculpture.  Add and delete words, sentences, paragraphs; shift sentences and paragraphs from one place to another to create a good flow.    

4.  Essay Opening.  Throughout the writing, editing and reading process think about your opening sentence.  Don’t stress.  A revelation may not come forward until you’ve read 4 or more drafts.  Just remember, like media headlines, your opening should be an ATTENTION GRABBER.  

  

5.  Stay On-Subject.  As I stated in, How Scholarship Applications are Judged, answer the question.  Don’t write about oranges when the provider asked for apples, unless you can show a clear correlation.

6.  WWWW&H.  Always follow the Who, What, When, Where & How rule.  Think of storytelling.  

7.  Keep it Formal.  Your overall tone should be professional, but not stiff.  Even with fun or promotional contests your essay shouldn’t read as if you’re “conversatin’” with a friend on social media.

8.  Be Creative.  “Blending” is not a good strategy when competing for a college or vocational school scholarship.  A little risk can be refreshing, so it’s okay to enhance your essay with an off-beat idea or take a different approach, but stick with the scholarship’s objective.  Following are two examples: 

            A.  Applicants for the Common Application for college admission were told to “Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you.”  Drew took a risk and wrote: 

 TheJob I Should Have Quit

You can learn a lot about me from a quick glance in my closet. You’ll find no clothes, but shelves filled with motorized Lego kits, Erector sets, model rockets, remote control race cars, and boxes full of motors, wires, batteries, propellers, soldering irons and hand tools. I’ve always enjoyed building things. No one was surprised when I decided to apply to college for mechanical engineering.  [Read the entire essay and the critique here.]  

The judge concluded that Drew’s essay “succeeds in showing off his strengths at the very time it examines his weaknesses.”  Also, Drew presented a creative way to inform the judges that his passion is mechanical engineering.

            B.  Applicants were instructed to respond to the “Topic of Your Choice” section of the Common Application.   Lora wrote about

 Eating Eyeballs

[Note:  This excerpt is the 6^th paragraph into the essay.]

The first couple of meals I had in France were reassuringly familiar: a little bit of cheese, omelet, gazpacho, or quiche.  Then Patrice, Anne’s father and a marine biologist, grilled sardines the length of my hand for dinner.  His method of grilling the sardines was charring them.  I had tried charred meat before, and hadn’t liked it.  This dinner was charred, a fish, and it was looking at me with an eyeball in a head that I was going to have to eat.  Patrice explained that the best way to eat these sardines was to eat the whole thing — bones, skin, eyes, and all.  Since my French was still a little shaky, I hoped that I had misunderstood him — one of the few times I would have enjoyed feeling stupid.  [Read the entire essay and critique here.]

Although lighthearted, Lora’s essay has substance regarding her healthy attitude/ personality/character, international travel experience, and people and language skills.

9.  Transitions.  Throughout your re-reading, re-writing/editing process, make sure your essay flows smoothly from thought-to-thought and paragraph-to-paragraph.  Adding a unique detail, or anecdote, that you or someone else experienced that connects to the scholarship’s objective, can smooth transitions. 

10.  Research.  When writing about a specific topic, research supports your statement.  For example:  To meet the Foreclosure.com Scholarship Program’s task to analyze two foreclosure investment properties, then, show reasons supporting the decision, detailing investment strategy, describing “all that you would do (improvements, rehab, etc.) and how it would impact your potential bottom line,” applicants should undergird their arguments with one or two credible real estate investment facts.  [Note:  This scholarship’s deadline ended this month, but check it out in 2014.  Top prize $5,000.  Second through fifth place $1,000.] 

11.  Word Count.  As I stated in How Scholarship Applications are Judged, word count, COUNTS.  The Foreclosure.com Scholarship essay limit is 800 to 2,000 words.  A 1,999-word essay is best. 

Follow the directions in Step 3 to meet word counts.  You may even have to remove worthy information, but that’s part of the world of writing.  [Note:  Short response college essays average 500-word limit.]

12.  Action Verbs.  I’m an advocate for Action Verbs - they reflect measurable, observable, verifiable, and reliable behaviors; give your narrative movement and power; and keep it concise/tight.  Lists of action verbs are on English/grammar websites, and here. 

13.  Proofread!  Proofread!  Proofread and correct spelling, grammatical errors, tenses and synonyms.  Word won’t flag “piece,” when you meant “peace.”

14.  Re-Charge.  Set aside your essay for a day or two.  Let it marinate.  Then, proofread again.   

By now, you should feel more empowered and ready to ask your teacher, coach, parents and/or friends to read your essay.  Listen to their input, but stay confident (not ego/arrogant) in what you said and how you said it.  With confidence, you’ll decide whether to include others’ suggestions and how much.

Now get started on your Me-Chart and generic essay!  Remember…, they’re your baselines/foundations to rethink, improve, modify and polish your language to write compelling essays for each scholarship application you submit.

Magic, Miracles & Blessings,

Willette

6 TIPS TO AVOID JOB SCAMS

by Willette Coleman ©2013 

IT’s enough to be out of work and struggling to pay the rent; it’s worse that heartless and unscrupulous people prey on individuals who simply want to work and take care of themselves and their families.  These predators use unmonitored job search websites, like craigslist, to “phish” for personal information (e.g., home addresses on resumes; Internet maps can show your exact location), or lure unsuspecting applicants into job scams.  So, we all need to be careful in this “unseen virtual” world and use good instincts discussed in How to Avoid Job Scams onCraigslist.

“Angela” (name changed) didn’t follow her instincts and soon became anxious about her social security number and fingerprints being in the hands of….who?, and would she lose her money? 

This all began when Angela’s qualifications matched a tutoring job description on craigslist.  Observing no contact information and no website link, red flags waved; her gut said “let it go.”

~ Tip 1 ~

Listen to your gut!  If it doesn’t feel right, do not apply! 

Angela ignored her gut.  The perfect part-time hours fitted her schedule and, unlike other tutoring jobs, she didn’t need a car.  So, she Googled the company’s name.  The website looked authentic (but that’s easy to do).  She clicked on the “contact” tab, and dialed the Northern Virginia number.  The person who answered seemed surprised that someone was calling.  Angela explained that she wanted to be sure the ad wasn’t another job scam because no contact information was provided.   The woman, who didn’t identify herself (and Angela failed to ask her name), gave the name and email address of the individual to whom Angela should send her resume.  Within two hours, “Sallie” (name changed) acknowledged Angela’s cover letter and resume and scheduled an interview at a popular book store in a mall in a nearby suburb.  Angela was hopeful.

The November ll^th interview went well.  Angela was even encouraged to be a Tutor Coordinator and given documents explaining the company’s policies, and the job’s tasks and responsibilities; some documents needed her signature.  Sallie confirmed the job post’s statement that Angela would need to get a background check and fingerprints, and said she’d be reimbursed for the cost by the 15^th of the month, “when we cut checks.”   

 ~ Tip 2 ~

Don’t Pay a Fee for a Background Check Without ASSURANCE You Have the Job!  

Angela paid for the process without an official offer.  A week later, Angela met Sallie outside (not inside) another mall and handed her the signed documents containing her social security number, the card with her fingerprints she’d secured through the local police department, and the original receipt for the $10 fee.  Sallie, in athletic attire and pushing her carriaged one-year-old daughter, thanked a professionally dressed Angela, and reassured her she’d be reimbursed. 

~ TIP 3 ~

Don’t Fill Out Forms Online that Require Your SSN

Angela had kindly declined to put her social security number on forms via email.  Sallie said she understood.  Only the hard copies she gave Sallie had that information.  “I would prefer to keep that number safe until hired, but it is not always possible,” wrote Susan M. Heathfield in You Want My Social Security Number?  “It might cost you the employment opportunity,” but she suggests you write in the required space, “SSN available upon job offer.”  {Note:  You have no choice when filling out government job applications on www.usajobs.gov} 

 

~ TIP #4 ~

Document Emails, Receipts – Everything! 

Angela did the right thing here.  She has all her emails and hard copies of documents and the receipt.  Over the course of two weeks, Sallie emailed Angela and other candidates she’d interviewed about public and charter schools that needed tutors, and that she would confirm assignments soon.  Then, on December 6, Sallie emailed all candidates saying:

Sadly, I decided Commonwealth Education is not a good fit for me at this time.

Randi Franklin or Ryan Garton will be taking over - I forwared all of your paperwork - please check with them regarding new students, reimbursement, and payroll. For those of you waiting to be reimbursed, Randi will be sending checks out on the 15th of the month. For those of you still waiting for background checks, I will send them to Randi as I receive them.

I was such a pleasure meeting everyone and I'm sorry if this causes any future inconveniences. I wish you all the best of luck.

 [Email printed with permission, and includes the actual spelling and grammar errors.]

 

Two weeks later, Angela hadn’t heard from either individual Sallie had said would contact candidates.  She began to feel uneasy about her exposed social security number and fingerprints.  They were in the hands of….who?   So, she emailed three other individuals Sallie had interviewed and inquired whether they’d been contacted.  One person responded saying that “Janice” (name changed) had contacted her.  Angela asked for Janice’s email address and emailed her December 21.  Janice replied the same day:  [Email printed with permission.]

Thank you for emailing us.  I did receive confirmation of your fingerprints and am in the process of checking with Prince Georges County to see where we stand. You are on my list and I will get with you next week to let you know what I have found out.

Thank you for your patience and have a very joyous holiday!

Angela thought it odd they were “in the process of checking… to see where we stand.”  The craigslist’s post and Sallie’s emails had listed confirmed locations and stated that tutors only needed to be assigned.  Angela also noted that Janice didn’t mention why she hadn’t contacted her since Sallie’s departure, nor said anything about reimbursing her.  Another two weeks later, Janice hadn’t kept her promise to get back to Angela.  So, on January 17, Angela emailed Janice:

I am following up on your last email on December 21.  Although you said you would get back with me a week later, I’ve not heard from you.

I am a little concerned that no timely communications is coming from [*company name].  Therefore, I have moved forward in my job search and may not be available to tutor should a schedule be finalized. 

 

In the meantime, when [Angela gave “Sallie’s” real name] interviewed me, she said that the company would reimburse me the $10 I paid for my fingerprints.  To date, I’ve not received the reimbursement.  I would appreciate it if you would inform me of the status of reimbursement.  Also, since it appears I will not be in (*company’s name) employ, I am inquiring about your policy for returning to me my fingerprint card and all information that shows my social security number.   *Author omitted company’s name.

With no response, on February 2, Janice called the number at the start of this situation.  The individual (Angela got her name that time) took her information and concerns, and said that Janice would call her back.  She didn’t.

Angela felt scammed, and rightly so.  The company possessed her social security number, fingerprints and background information.  No job and $10 short, she had also spent valuable time and commuting funds in this employment effort.  Concerned that her identity could be at risk, Angela considered emailing the Better Business Bureau (BBB) until she learned that filing a complaint could be a waste of time. 

BBB is a private franchise – yes, franchise – not a local, state or federal government agency.  Companies can purchase membership.  Which provoked one person to ask the BBB in Canada: If all your funding comes from business, how can you be fair to the consumer?  BBB's  reply was more like a promo statement.  As a franchise and a non-profit (yes, non-profit) “…the BBB receives millions in grant money every year from the US Government,” according to Rip-off Report .  The ABC News program 20/20 investigated the BBB in November, 2010.  

While Angela’s situation may not be a scam in the word’s exact meaning, it clearly is a rip off. From now on, Angela says she won’t bypass her gut reaction, puts her P.O. Box number on her resumes (she has 5) instead of her home address, and is extra diligent about giving out her SS number. 

~ TIP #5 ~

Take the Time to Check Out Companies

Searching whether a company has a bad rap sheet takes vigilance and patience.  It’s time-consuming and tedious, but it’s worth it in the long run.  Ask:

1.     Does the company belong to a professional association?  At the time, Angela didn’t think to check the National Tutoring Association, or the American Tutoring Association.

2.     Is it licensed?  According to www.sba.gov, “Every business needs one or more federal, state or local licenses or permits to operate.”  Licenses can range from a basic operating license to specific permits.  Regulations vary by industry, state and locality.  None-compliance with regulations can lead to fines. 

3.     For a fee, Angela could have viewed the company’s business details in Dun &Bradstreet or www.hoovers.com databases. 

4.     WetFeet.com and glassdoor.com, as I noted in POWER INTERVIEWS: How to Sharpen Your Query Skills, are helpful for searching information about companies.  Keep in mind that not all companies are listed on these sites, and opinions can be bias for valid or invalid reasons.

Afterwards, Angela contacted the Virginia State Attorney General’s office and a representative said they covered such cases and instructed Angela to download and mail the multi-page complaint form on their website.  She sent the document by certified mail.  Some four months later, the Attorney General’s office replied:  “Your complaint is not in our jurisdiction.”  

Six months later, another Commonwealth Education representative emailed Angela:  [Partial email printed with permission.]

Regarding your query about fingerprints, I do not believe we ever received anything from PG County with your fingerprints.  If we still have any docs in our office with your ssn, we will gladly mail them back to you (along with a check for $10).  Please send me your address so we can get a check sent to you.

Again, my sincerest apologies for our oversight on this matter,…

Angela sent her address, and corrected him that:

An email from Randi Franklin on December 21, 2011 confirmed that Commonwealth Education received confirmation regarding my fingerprints.  [Author's emphasis.]

Angela never heard from anyone from Commonwealth Education again.  Frustrated, she filed a review on www.yelp.com. 

At least Angela’s experience wasn’t deadly as it was for three unfortunate men who responded to a job posted on craigslist to work on an Ohio cattle farm.  On November 18, 2011, WEWS-TV reported the scam led to one man’s death and the other injured.   Another man’s body was found on the farm ten days later.

~ Tip ~

Don’t Let a Desperate Need for money Place You in a Questionable Situation

and

ALWAYS FOLLOW TIP 1!

If you’ve been scammed, ripped off or undeservedly disappointed, I’m listening.