Online recruitment 'can help protect against identity fraud'

Using an online recruitment site may be a much safer way for jobseekers to look for work as new research shows that many are exposing themselves to the risk of identity fraud.

Onrec.com reported on an experiment by iProfile.org which saw 68 per cent of people email or send their CV to a fake company advertising a job without knowing exactly where it was going.

This highlighted how easy it can be for criminals to set up bogus organisations and use the information on an application to steal jobseekers' identities.

Rick Bacon, chief executive officer of iProfile.org, claimed that using online recruitment sites to host CVs on the internet is a far safer option.

He said: Stick to the established providers who invest in security and processes to protect your information online.

ClickAJob Marketing Manager Anders Jensen agrees.

Online recruitment sites have to satisfy the Data Protection Act, which ensures your personal information is properly secure, he points out.

The better recruitment sites also have to verify everything about a candidate before it gets anywhere near an employer, he says.

Not only is your data safe, it's also double-checked before it is accessed.

Last month, Onrec.com also highlighted the importance of having a stand-out CV that is instantly attractive to employers, especially during the credit crunch.