Give your SSN# online ?

[SideShow Bob]

So,
If given an opportunity for a promotion, but as a stipulation you had to go through a background check. Also the background check is done by a low bid, third party contractor, and requires your SSN be given, but the only way this company has to get your information is through their website.
Am I the only one that thinks that this is not only bad, but a piss poor company, and that I would be opening myself up to a greater possibility of identity theft ?

[CS1983]

Potentially, but it depends on the website security (i.e., https:// (secure) vs http:// (non-secure)) and beyond that, the actual security of the company's network, their data-storage servers, if they encrypt that info on the server, etc.

https://www.instantssl.com/https-tut...-is-https.html

I can tell you for a fact that even .gov uses a website for background investigations data input. If data spillage from various attacks and loss of laptops, file folders, etc. has taught us anything, it's that paper or non-web-based mediums are not exactly secure either. I wouldn't sweat it.

[MarkCO]

NO is always my answer.

I am a IC for a company (a major one you all would know) who wanted my SSN to do a background check. I told them no. I also told them they could not use my SSN (that they already have) for any purpose other than submission to the IRS on required forms. At one point, after some consternation and gnashing of teeth, they realized they did not need it.

It is not on my DL, or my checks, or 4473s either.

You have no control of a third party, and that is where the hacks come from most of the time.

[WETWRKS]

Per the Feds a ss# is not supposed to be used for any sort of identification. I would refuse.

[SideShow Bob]

Per the Feds a ss# is not supposed to be used for any sort of identification. I would refuse.

According to HR of my company, if I don't give this Low bid, third party vendor my SSN on line at their website, they cannot do the background check.
No background check, no promotion.

Can an you link this Fed. Regulation ?

[CS1983]

You are not required to give it, but neither are they required to conduct a BI and promote you. The SSN for a BI keeps you from being mixed up with other people, simply.

Rather than freak out, I would ask HR what provisions are contracted and/or legally binding on the holder of said info in the event they suffer a breach and your information is spilled into criminal hands.

[crashdown]

Agree with Foxtrot.

Plus all the people that take the high road about never giving it out except for the original reasons it was intended are usually not completely truthful, unless they don't have a cell phone, never financed a car, a mortgage, rent an apartment, a credit card, a checking account, etc.
It is just one piece of a puzzle to steal your ID, at this point in the game, not that big of one.

[cstone]

Are you familiar with the hacking of OPM's database on millions of current, and former employees, as well as those who merely applied for federal jobs? As Foxtrot mentioned, most of our information is already out there for those who want it. I personally have resigned myself to having my employer pay for identity monitoring services for the rest of my life. It is the least, legally that they need to do considering how easily and completely they were hacked.

I understand your choice. Do you want the promotion? How bad do you want it? Talk to your supervisors and HR people and relate your concerns. Either they will come up with some other method for transmitting your data, or you will have to choose.

Be safe.

[fitz19d]

Agree with others, it's out there largely. I've had probably 5 breaches besides OPM giving me credit monitoring if I wanted it. Watch statements and 3x/year free credit reports should be standard practice. Just deal with it and submit.

[kidicarus13]

Agree with Foxtrot.

Plus all the people that take the high road about never giving it out except for the original reasons it was intended are usually not completely truthful, unless they don't have a cell phone, never financed a car, a mortgage, rent an apartment, a credit card, a checking account, etc.
It is just one piece of a puzzle to steal your ID, at this point in the game, not that big of one.

+1

It is not on my DL

That hasn't an option since the early 2000's