In the digital age personal information is easier than ever to access. We’ve warned about the dangers of sharing too much information on social media, but even your employment data is able to be accessed by companies. With employment verification services like The Work Number by Equifax, your employment history, salary, and more can potentially be accessed by various parties like employers, landlords, and loaners.
What is TheWorkNumber by Equifax?
Equifax is one of the three major credit reporting agencies in the United States, and it operates The Work Number, a database that holds a vast amount of employment information. The Work Number contains data such as employment dates, job titles, salary and bonus information, and more. It’s often used by potential employers, landlords, and lenders for background checks and credit evaluations.
When I first learned about The Work Number, I was curious to see what information they might have about me. It was easy to sign up for an account and download my data report. To my surprise, the nearly 40-page report I downloaded contained not only the details of my job history but also my annual pay and bonuses. The report provided a comprehensive breakdown of every pay period, pay date, gross and net earnings. When I saw such a detailed report, I couldn’t help but feel uneasy knowing that this much of my personal information was readily available for others to access. Especially since Equifax experienced a huge data breach in 2017, which resulted in the private records of over 150 million people being compromised.
The Risks of Employment Data Verification Services
The use of data verification services like The Work Number are concerning. The sheer amount of personal information these services store can be unsettling, and they make their money by selling this information to third parties. As long as the third party has enough money, these data services will given them access to sensitive data like your salary history, employment dates, and job titles. You probably would not want this information shared with anyone without your permission, or have to worry about the implications for your privacy and security should it fall into the wrong hands.
These services can be useful for legitimate purposes (e.g., background checks for employment or tenant screening), the information can also be exploited for malicious purposes. Identity thieves can use your employment history to impersonate you, set up new accounts, or gain access to even more personal information – which could lead to financial losses or other issues. The use of this information by potential employers or landlords can also result in discrimination or bias. For example, someone with a higher salary history might be favored over another candidate, even if their skills and experience are equally suitable for the position.
How to Check, Correct, and Protect Your Data
If you’re curious about what information Equifax has on you through The Work Number, you can visit their website at https://employees.theworknumber.com/. By creating an account and providing your Social Security number, you can access your personal report and review the data they have on file. If there is incorrect information there, you have the right and ability to notify them and get incorrect information updated or removed. If you’re concerned about them sharing your employment data and want to prevent it from being shared with third parties, you can also take steps to freeze your data report. A security freeze restricts access to your information, making sure it can’t be shared with credit card companies, landlords, or potential employers without your explicit consent.
To freeze your report with The Work Number, follow these steps:
- Visit https://employees.theworknumber.com/ and create an account or log in if you already have one.
- Click on “My Account” and then “Manage Security Freeze.”
- Select “Add Security Freeze” and follow the instructions to complete the process. You may need to provide proof of your identity with a driver’s license
Keep in mind that freezing your report might slow down or complicating the process of applying for new credit, jobs, or rental properties. However, you can have control and prioritize the privacy and security of your personal information while only providing your information when absolutely necessary.
Employment data verification services like The Work Number by Equifax are both beneficial and concerning. While they allow companies to protect themselves with background checks and credit evaluations, the accessibility of even more especially sensitive personal data raises concerns about privacy and security. By being aware of the personal information these services have on you and taking steps to protect your data, you can maintain control over your employment and salary history and your personal information. So, take a moment to visit https://employees.theworknumber.com/ and see what information Equifax has about you. You might just be surprised by what you find – and empowered to take control of your data.