HR: The Front Line in Protecting Employee Privacy and Identity
The Scam
Caller: “Hi, I’m Carl from the Department of Economic Security. I’m calling to verify employment for Judy Smith.”
HR: “I’m sorry, I cannot provide any information to you without a signed release.”
Caller: “Well, Judy Smith is waiting for benefits from DES. I just need you to verify she works there.”
HR: “It is against our policy to provide any information without a signed release from the employee.”
Caller: “You’re just making it difficult for Judy Smith to claim benefits.”
HR: “We’re happy to help any way possible, once we receive the signed release. Here’s our fax number: 222.555.1111.”
The Reality
Judy Smith has a restraining order taken out against an ex-boyfriend as a result of his arrest for assault. The caller was the ex-boyfriend looking for information on how to find Judy.
Protecting Identities and Privacy
Human Resources, as the keeper of private employee information, receives a multitude of requests each week from a number of outside agencies and sources seeking information about employees. These requests come from state and Federal agencies, mortgage lenders, and other organizations.
Most of these requests for information are absolutely legitimate and organizations seeking this type of information are now used to HR departments requiring signed employee authorizations before the release of any information. Willingly they comply and fax over signed employee authorizations.
However, criminals and individuals with malice in mind contact HR departments, too, seeking private and confidential information. HR professionals have heard these people say, “I just need you to tell me they work there for my files to be complete.” Or “Can you verify what location where the employee works?” or even “They’re waiting to close on a house and you will mess this up for them if you don’t tell me over the phone.”
Rest assured that LifeLock’s HR department has implemented best practices to protect employee information and their privacy. LifeLock will only release information if an employee has signed an authorization to do so or LifeLock is required by a court order or subpoena to provide such information. Some steps you, your friends and family can take to assist HR departments in protecting your identity and privacy are to contact the HR department when:
- If you have filed a Restraining Order, contact your HR department immediately so steps can be taken to protect you while at work.
- You have applied for a mortgage or loan and you are expecting your lender to contact your employer for a verification of employment.
- You’ve applied for assistance through a state or non-profit agency that will verify your employment or hours worked.
- You suspect someone is trying to find out about your personal or professional life.
