[TriLUG] SSN for job apps?

[Cox, Robin]

I have not posted on this board before.  My office is one of many that recruits for AT&T.  The request for the social security number is unusual, but not unheard, of with large companies like this.  It is used simply to identify a candidate when the candidate's resume is submitted because there is a waiting period after the resume submission before the candidate's resume can be submitted for a different position.  AT&T receives a huge number of resumes and they can end up confusing candidates if they don't have an ironclad identifier to keep them straight.  Some companies use DOB to do this. AT&T recruiting systems could also be using the social to check re-hire status for past employees, as you indicate.

-----Original Message-----
From: trilug-bounces at trilug.org [mailto:trilug-bounces at trilug.org] On Behalf Of Carl Crider
Sent: Thursday, May 07, 2009 12:36 PM
To: Triangle Linux Users Group General Discussion
Subject: [TriLUG] SSN for job apps?

 Ok, maybe I missed something while being in this contract for the last couple of years. I'm getting calls for a contract with AT&T in Durham. The reps are nice and they have been able to answer all of my questions thoroughly. However, they tell me that AT&T will not submit my application/resume without my SSN. Something to do with being able to check re-hire status for past employees. If you ask me, it sounds fishy. I don't give my number out to anyone, through email, over the phone, etc. When they have asked me at the bank, I write it down and show it to the teller instead of saying it out loud.

 Please, someone out there give me some input on this. This can't be the new way of doing business. If it is, I'm going to do something else. With the economy's current "level of suck", identity theft is big business all over again.

"I am not a number .... I'm a free man."

thnx

--
Carl Crider
c.crider at gmail.com
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