In the article Avoid the “Work-At-Home” Scams!, I told you a story about a young man I interviewed for a job for one of my clients.  As a recruiter, I interview a lot of people and every one of them has a story.

A while ago, I interviewed an individual, let’s call him Mark for the purpose of this article, who applied for a position which would give him access to highly sensitive customer information.  Therefore, my client runs very extensive background checks for all candidates.  Mark was very much liked by my client and was the first one in line for the available position with a company.  Unfortunately, when Mark’s background check came back, my client was forced to decline employment to Mark.

Here is what happened to him, allegedly.

After 9/11, Mark felt compelled to serve and protect his country and he joined the army.  He went to Iraq to fight the war and was lucky enough to come back in one piece.  Upon his honorable discharge from the army, it was time for Mark to start his new civilian life.  He applied for a job and an apartment, but his rental application was denied, which he thought was due to such a long absence.  Then, about a week later, he got a call from an employer who ran Mark’s background and credit check and was told that at this time he is not going to be hired.  As a courtesy, Mark was given a copy of his report.  What he discovered was shocking.  As it turns out, Mark was arrested for theft, had 2 DUIs, a few outstanding traffic tickets, thousands of dollars in unpaid credit cards, repossession of a vehicle, etc.  After a police investigation, the thief, who turned out to be a family member, was cut and convicted.  Fortunately for Mark, he was able to resolve all fraudulent credit card accounts.  But, unfortunately for him, the criminal and DUY records are not so easily dealt with. Even with a lawyer representing Mark in this matter, it has been more than 24 months so far.  And it doesn’t seem it will get any better, because criminal records are very difficult to erase.  So, Mark is unable to find a good job, has to live with his parents, because he is unable to rent an apartment.  I remember Mark’s face-he still managed to have a huge sincere smile and see a bright light at the end of the tunnel.

If you are in the military and ready to leave for an active duty, make sure to place an Active Duty Alert.  An Active Duty Alert stays on a credit record for up to 12 months unless cancelled prior to that time limit.  During this time, the prospective credit grantors must make every effort to verify the identity of the person requesting credit.  It will not protect you from anyone committing crimes in your name, but this is an extra precaution.

If you have reasons to believe you are a victim of identity theft, make sure to place an initial fraud alert with the credit reporting agencies, which will stay on your credit for up to 90 days unless cancelled.

To file an extended fraud alert, which will stay on the credit file up to 7 years unless cancelled, you will need to provide the credit reporting agencies with a police report and your identifying documents.

To put a security freeze on your credit report, which will prevent anyone from accessing your account, you will have to submit your request in writing and in most cases pay about $10.00 fee.  If you are a victim of identity theft, the fee maybe waived.

See some important contact information here.

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