Les escroqueries liées à l’emploi, notamment les annonces d’emploi frauduleuses sur LinkedIn, visent à dérober des informations personnelles afin de commettre un vol d’identité. Le détournement d’identité lié à l’emploi se produit lorsque quelqu’un utilise vos données personnelles, comme votre numéro de sécurité sociale, pour obtenir un emploi en votre nom. Cela peut avoir des conséquences négatives, notamment des problèmes fiscaux, des dommages à votre réputation professionnelle et du temps perdu à restaurer votre identité. En 2023, le Federal Trade Commission a enregistré plus de 31 000 cas de ce type d’escroquerie, un chiffre en hausse de 18 %. Pour s’en protéger, il est essentiel de garder ses informations personnelles en sécurité et de prendre des mesures proactives, comme créer un compte E-Verify.
Many people are aware of job scams and the counterfeit job listings on platforms like LinkedIn designed to deceive applicants. These fraudulent postings aim to collect your personally identifiable information, potentially leading to identity theft.
In contrast, employment identity theft occurs when someone successfully uses your personal information to secure a job under your name.
While this scam might seem innocuous, it carries serious consequences for victims whose identities are misused for financial gain.
Understanding Employment Identity Theft
Employment identity theft refers to a scenario where an individual uses your Social Security number to obtain a job.
This situation can arise for various reasons, including the identity thief’s challenges in securing employment due to a criminal record, poor work history, or inadequate job skills.
Often, you may be unaware that you’ve fallen victim to employment identity theft. However, certain indicators may alert you to the problem. For instance, receiving a W-2 or 1099 tax form from an unfamiliar employer is a red flag. Additionally, the IRS might send you a notice if they suspect you have been victimized.
This type of scam is surprisingly prevalent. In 2023, the Federal Trade Commission reported 31,207 cases of employment identity theft or wage-related fraud, marking an 18% increase from the previous year.
Potential Consequences of Employment Identity Theft
It can be distressing to consider someone misusing your personal details to obtain employment, but the repercussions can be severe.
Experts indicate that such scams may lead to various financial issues and identity-related complications.
Tax Complications
If someone secures a job using your information and their earnings are reported to the IRS, you may be held liable for taxes on those wages. Moreover, if you’re entitled to a refund, you might face challenges in filing your own taxes, particularly if the scammer files a return using your Social Security number first.
Fortunately, proving employment fraud is typically straightforward, according to Nance Schick, an employment lawyer and founder of Third Ear Conflict Resolution.
She explains that employers’ IT departments can often trace whether the alleged ’employee’ was located in a place different from your actual residence.
“An electronic paper trail should exist that documents the agreement for service and the payment process,” Schick notes.
Risk to Your Professional Reputation
Employment identity theft can also jeopardize your professional standing, according to Justin Marcus, co-founder and CEO of the staffing firm Big 4 Talent.
He warns, “If a candidate applies for a job and a background check reveals they’ve held four positions within two years—only one of which belongs to them—that could present serious issues.”
This could negatively impact your chances of landing new employment, as hiring managers might view you as a job hopper. If you find yourself a victim of employment identity theft, Marcus recommends informing future employers before they conduct a background check.
Time-Consuming Recovery Process
Recovering from the damage inflicted by an identity thief can be time-intensive, requiring numerous phone calls and emails. However, if you have identity theft protection services that offer comprehensive restoration options, they may handle much of the work involved.
To report identity theft related to employment, reach out to the IRS, the Social Security Administration fraud hotline at 1-800-269-0271, and the FTC via identitytheft.gov.
If you believe you’ve suffered significant harm, and the employer failed in their due diligence during the hiring process, it might be wise to consult an attorney.
“Victims may have grounds for a lawsuit against a company that employs an identity thief,” Schick states.
Credit Risks
If an identity thief can secure a job using your information, there’s also the risk they might open credit accounts or loans in your name, accumulating debt for which you will be held accountable.
You can protect yourself by contacting major credit reporting agencies such as Transunion, Equifax, and Experian to place a credit freeze or a fraud alert on your accounts, preventing unauthorized loans taken in your name.
How to Prevent Employment Identity Theft
The most effective prevention against employment identity theft involves adopting measures to safeguard your personal information, particularly your Social Security number.
Here are some essential steps you can take:
If you have previously experienced employment identity theft, you may want to secure your Social Security number by creating an E-Verify account, which helps prevent future incidents. This security lock lasts for one year but can