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A new low among some so called "IT recruiters".

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13 replies

by maniacman

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Just today, I get an email from some "recruiter" looking to fill a position somewhere in TN. Now that's all fine and dandy, but what really caught my attention and outright angered me was one of the questions asked towards the bottom of the email pertaining to the last 4 digits of my social security number. Now I don't know how stupid or gullible some people are, but I certainly won't provide such private information to someone simply asking for it, especially via email. Is this a new trend among some of these "staffing agencies"? If it is, then be warned, because this is starting to sound like those Nigerian scams asking for bank account and routing numbers.

13 replies

by tig2

Some companies are doing this now to avoid duplications in their resume database.

The last four of your SSN is a reasonably benign thing to ask for. It is dangerous only when associated to the rest of the string. That your other private information is connected makes it a bit less benign.

When confronted by this (have never seen it in an email, only after I have pre-qualified a role) I determine just how much I want to work for the company involved. If I can't trust them enough to wisely handle the last four of my SSN, I have to consider how much I really want to work for them.

by maniacman

Hello,
My name is Nilesh Pandya. I am a Technical Recruiter with cyberThink. I found your resume while searching for Project Manager Candidates for an immediate opening with one of our direct clients BNY Mellon Located at Nashville TN

Detail

Logistics and Planning lead for Technology Refresh and Integration projects. Position is responsible for placing and tracking all internal and external orders needed to get Intel servers ready for use. Position requires understanding of the components of the Intel environment and the steps to place and replace servers in that environment. Good communication skills required.

Preferred

HP Proliant, VMWare, SAN Storage, EMC Storage, Wintel, LAN Technology, MS Access

________________________________

Looking for only consultants who can work on W2 or C2C if they have their own Inc. (GC or Citizens Only)

________________________________

If you are interested in this opportunity please email me a copy of your resume and a contact number with the best time to reach you. If you are not interested in this opportunity, please forward this email to anyone you feel may be qualified.

In considering candidates, time is always of the essence, so please respond as soon as possible. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Please send the following information with updated resume in word format

Availability

Rate looking for the assignment

Notice period for an interview

Work authorization: GC or Citizen

Last four digit of SSN or Day and Month or DOB

Best no to reach

Actively accessing mail id

Current Location

Commute is feasible or not

Thanks

Nilesh Pandya

Technical Recruiter
cyberThink Inc.
1125 US Hwy 22 West,
Bridgewater, NJ, 08807.
Phone : 201-984-4940 Ext 538
Fax: 908-429-8004
mailto: nilesh.pandya@cyberthink.com
webpage: www.cyberthink.com

by tig2

They aren't supposed to be asking for a DOB. They are allowed to ask for month and year.

The thing that strikes me in this is that you are obviously in New York. He's trying to shop you for a role in Tennessee. Why is there nothing mentioned about relocation?

This looks like a trolling letter. They send out one to anyone posted who has "Project Manager" in their resume. I get them by the inbox-full.

This is one where your best bet is to hit that handy delete key that Microsoft so helpfully added.

If you ever get one of these that you have any interest in, do a few minutes of surfing on the company website. Do not use the convenient hotlink.

Unfortunately, this IS what it's coming to. Sad, isn't it?

by dr dij

alot of banks, etc use these digits as confirmation codes that you are the owner, so ripe target for phishers, an additional data that might be useful for breaking into your various accounts.

by tig2

Although I get more and more concerned as it is becoming a more and more popular identifier.

There are places where my mother's maiden name is listed as "landshark". (That isn't what I really use, but you get the idea).

I would never reply to a recruiter with that information without having a long conversation about it first.

by dmambo

The Doc is right. Provide this info, and the credit card company has "confirmed" that it's you on the other end of the phone. Especially in conjunction with the other info from your resume.

Overall, the letter is a darn good phishing scam.

by maniacman

in exchange for the last 4 digits of my social security number. I have yet to hear back from this schmuck. :^0

by tig2

The last four thing really is legit although I think that will change as it becomes a common identifier in more places. What put me off was the request for your DOB.

Another thing that I have learned about recruiters is to never let them think you're hungry. You will see a drastic drop in your rates if you do.

I vet the recruiters that I work with and work only with them. And I ignore anything from anyone else.

Do let me know if he responds with his banking details. At least with your response, he may just leave you alone.

by maniacman

Hello Piush,

Below are answers to your questions:

Full Name:
Current Salary: More than you're making
Expected Salary: More than Bill Gates makes in a month
Work Status: Thinking about early retirement
Complete Physical Address (current location): I'm currently in my office
Home Phone No: Look it up on the Do Not Call List
Mobile Phone No: See above
Best time to call: See above
Available from: Available how?
Visa status and validity: Currently a Visa Platinum Card holder with a $100,000 credit limit
Current Employer: I'm self employed, so you're talking to the employer
Willing to relocate: Only if you agree to pay off my current mortgage and pay for the new house in full that I'd have to buy in Ohio

Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year.

-----Original Message-----
Subject: Job Opportunity with Satyam - Novell Administrator

Hi,

This is Piush from Satyam's Human Resources Team.

I would like to get in touch with you in regards to openings at Satyam. Satyam Computer Services Ltd. (NYSE: "SAY") (www.satyam.com) is a leading global consulting and IT services company, offering a wide array of solutions customized for a range of key verticals and horizontals. Satyam is the First Company to get ISO 9001-2000 certified and being the first top 10 companies in the world to get CMMi Level 5.

We have a requirement for Novell Administrator at Columbus, OH for our client. If you are interested please send me your updated resume along with the following details

Full Name:
Current Salary:
Expected Salary:
Work Status:
Complete Physical Address (current location):
Home Phone No:
Mobile Phone No:
Best time to call:
Available from:
Visa status and validity:
Current Employer:
Willing to relocate:

*You can also recommend anyone you know and is interested to work on this position.

The details of the position are as follows:

TITLE OF THE POSITION: Novell Administrator

Exact Location (City\State): Columbus ,OH

Duration of assignment(Months): Long term(48+ months)

Full Time/Sub Con: Full Time

Start Date: Immediate

Primary or Mandatory Skills:

Novell Administration
Directory Services
Novell IDM

Regards,
Piush Dusaj
Human Resources
Satyam Computer Services LTD.
One Gatehall Drive, Suite 301,
Parsippany, NJ- 07054
Phone: 973-753-2096 Extn: 7394
Email: Piush_Dusaj@satyam.com
Web: www.satyam.com

by tig2

Because there are several companies that you can't apply to (Target comes springing to mind, there are others) without providing that information.

Never even considered it as I don't do credit cards.

by dmambo

"Never even considered it as I don't do credit cards"

After you knock-off Mr. Tigger (assuming that's a one-off event) look me up. Based on the quote above, you're everything I'm looking for in a woman. (After you ditch the cats, of course)

Merry Christmas, Tig. All the best for a healthy New Year. (Just don't tell anyone I said so!)

by tig2

I paid cash for my MacBook. Read the blog. I don't walk away from Christmas in debit and my car is paid for.

Identity theft is a once in a lifetime experience. Once you've had it, you don't want it again.

Knocking off Mr Tigger would only get me talked about. Although I will share that he has walked a perilous line lately.

A Merry Christmas to you and your family. May you find peace and joy in the coming year! (and your secret is safe with me!)

by dr dij

If you're really looking for a job at target, you know they're a real company. I'd just be careful sending out to small orgs and people you never heard of before.

My wife's like that, if she uses her credit card, she pays it off within a month or two, keeps several thou around for emergencies.

Car repairs upset her, she fails to see the joy of getting your car working great again. And having paid off the car years ago, the repairs are usually simply a skipped monthly payment or two and you're still way ahead.

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