In an age where privacy concerns are at the forefront of public discourse, a lesser-known service called The Work Number, owned by Equifax, has come to light. This service compiles extensive files on individuals, containing detailed records of their work history, including salary, bonuses, and even tips. When you consent to a background check for a job application, potential employers can access this comprehensive data by paying Equifax for a report. This means that any discrepancies or omissions on your resume, or even your salary expectations during negotiations, could be known to them beforehand, potentially affecting your job prospects or salary discussions.
The Work Number currently serves over 50% of the U.S. workforce and provides data to more than 100,000 organizations, according to Equifax’s own statistics. This widespread use underscores the significant reach and impact of this service on employment verification processes across the country. For instance, if you’ve worked for multiple employers, The Work Number might have records dating back several years, giving a full picture of your employment journey.
Interestingly, just like you can freeze your credit report to protect your financial information, you can also freeze your report with The Work Number. This feature allows you to control who sees your employment and income details until you decide to lift the freeze. This option was a revelation for many, as it provides a layer of privacy control similar to credit report freezes, which saw a surge in usage after high-profile data breaches, with over 3 million Americans freezing their credit reports in 2018 alone.
This ability to freeze your Work Number report is particularly empowering in today’s job market, where background checks are standard procedure. It offers individuals a way to manage their personal data, ensuring that only when they’re ready, or when it’s necessary, does this sensitive information become accessible. Given the sensitivity of employment and income data, this control is crucial for maintaining privacy during job searches or when negotiating terms of employment.
For those unaware, this service’s existence and functionality can be quite surprising. It’s a reminder of how much personal data is collected and shared in the modern employment landscape. To manage your privacy with The Work Number, you can visit their official website at https://www.theworknumber.com/ to learn how to freeze or unfreeze your report.
In conclusion, The Work Number by Equifax represents a significant aspect of employment data management that many individuals are just discovering. With the ability to freeze your report, you have a tool at your disposal to protect your privacy, which is increasingly important in today’s digital world where data is both a commodity and a vulnerability.
Sources:
https://www.theworknumber.com/
https://www.equifax.com/workforce-solutions/
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2018/09/consumers-have-frozen-more-3-million-credit-reports
160 views