If you're a recent graduate or college student, you're probably used to submitting your personal details to the institution online. If this information were to get into the wrong hands, it would have severe consequences. Fortunately universities today have a grip on security. For example, Dell virtualization can help universities to keep data safe and easily accessible. Many universities also use Dell virtual desktop to help ease the user problems while switching computers.
But what happens once you've left university, you're job hunting and you're submitting your CV to online job boards? Many job seekers incorrectly use the scattergun approach to job hunt, posting their CV on as many job boards as possible in the hope that something positive will come back (of course, I know you don't do this!). Depending on the information in the CV, this could leave the job seeker open to internet fraud.
To highlight the issue, a few years ago a fake website was set up during National Identity Fraud Prevention Week. A fake firm placed an advert and invited people to submit their CV. Over half the CVs submitted contained enough information to apply for a credit card.
The following information is like gold dust to fraudsters and should therefore be avoided on your CV:
- Date of birth
- Marital status
- Place of birth
- Passport number
- National insurance number
- Driving Licence number
The above information should never be shared with a potential employer until you are sure that the opportunity and the employer are genuine. If you are at all concerned about where your CV is going, it's a good idea to research or even call the company or recruitment agency before sending it.