The last couple years (2014-2016), it became common for third party recruiters to ask job candidates four or five last digits of their Social Security Numbers (SSN) or the whole SSN and Month and Day of their Birth (sometimes and Year of Birth) under pretext of avoiding double submissions.
I always believed that it could be necessary only on the final steps of hiring process, however very often I yielded their nice voices promising such great opportunity surely coming.
Yesterday I've found a new collection account in my credit report based on some Car Title Payday Loan with unknown me business and which I never borrowed.
So, I am strongly advising all job seekers never ever giving away to recruiters any part of their SSN and Date of Birth (DOB) unless it's coming to real hiring which materialized for me just once (in December 2015 for six months contract).
Hi Michael,
This is really good advice. Personal details like DOB & SSN can, unfortunately, be used fraudulently by anyone who has them. When giving out personal information you should ALWAYS make sure that you are speaking to who you think you are, that they are ACTUALLY representing who they say they are, and you should never be afraid to ask for either time, proof, or if it is mandatory. A true legit company will be willing to work with you through the process. Anyone who is putting pressure on you for this information when you haven't even interviewed may be trying to take advantage of you. Always play close to the chest!
I'm really glad you were able to check your credit and find that information and I hope you can fight it easily. Thank you so much for being such a great member of the community!