How to verify a registry before mailing sensitive documents

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I applied for a RN position on Indeed.com and within a day, I received an email requesting my SSN, DL, nursing license, hiring docs, etc., etc. for positions upcoming through CDC. No interview. Needless to say, I was thrilled and got everything emailed in as soon as possible. That was over a month ago and I touch bases frequently and they keep saying I should hear "anytime." In the mean time, I keep wondering if I should have sent those documents to an agency that I contacted over the internet. I have never been asked to provide these type of documents until after a face to face interview, when a job offer is made. It makes me a little nervous. I was wondering if anyone has experience applying to these agencies and if there is a way to verify that they really do have a placement contract.

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There's one born every minute. Sorry to hear it.

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Have you checked your credit report/score recently? I'd check today if you haven't to make sure nothing fishy is going on.

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Maybe I'm super-cynical and overly protective of my information, but if I were you I'd be keeping an eye on my credit score, etc.

If this place isn't on the up and up you have just handed them enough info to steal your identity.

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I don't think the unemployed are high on the target list of scam artists. Still the gut feeling. The CDC does require this data in order to gain a gate clearance. It would seem that it would be prudent to have a central number so that applicants can verify that these agencies are legit before sending out info.

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I don't think the unemployed are high on the target list of scam artists.

Everyone is a target of scam artists ;)

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Ok girls, if you're all hungry go eat your own young..lol! Your point is well taken that one needs to be prudent in applying for jobs online, which is why I posted to begin with. Everyone is jumping to the conclusion that I was scammed and I don't think this is the case. Had I not spoke to the recruiter several times and verified the business had a large web presence, I may not have applied. Most scam artists don't list their physical address, this business did. In the mean time, this is a reminder to take safeguards in applying for jobs in the electronic age. I hope someone can offer some useful information about how to verify registries before applying to them for future applications.

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Specializes in Med Surg.

How is this an example of "eating our young?"

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Specializes in ICU.

Definitely a scam. I'm sorry...

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

I can see how it sounds like a scam....no eating or snacking in this thread, IMHO.

Most places I have done work for, even when applying to government positions DO NOT ask for copies for ANY sensitive information until there has been a formal interview; some places you can't have a formal interview, except over the phone.

OP, the posters are looking out for your best interest...if I sent sensitive information to a agency, and haven't heard back from the agency or the company about the position; I would check to see IF the position was even legit...and monitor my credit report...

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Ok girls, if you're all hungry go eat your own young..lol! Your point is well taken that one needs to be prudent in applying for jobs online, which is why I posted to begin with. Everyone is jumping to the conclusion that I was scammed and I don't think this is the case. Had I not spoke to the recruiter several times and verified the business had a large web presence, I may not have applied. Most scam artists don't list their physical address, this business did. In the mean time, this is a reminder to take safeguards in applying for jobs in the electronic age. I hope someone can offer some useful information about how to verify registries before applying to them for future applications.

You said nothing about repeated telephonic contact or verifying a physical address in your original post, so my original response to your original post stands.

I'd still check your credit and such if I were you--and yes, even scammers have telephones.

As to "verifying registries" you could consider calling the BON in that jurisdiction to ask them how/if registries need to be licensed, bonded, etc., or the secretary of state for that state (yes, most states have them- mine issues my business license and collects a fee every year for me to keep it) to ask about licensing info for them.

However, you might find that there are no such safeguards, and we're back to caveat emptor and there's one born every minute. Good luck.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

Verifying registries...

If you get contacted by a company...Google them first. Do a little research about the company. Don't rely on the URL they may send in the e-mail, but find the company online yourself...see if you can find the job listing itself there. See if you can find the name/e-mail of whoever contacted you on that website.

Ask friends/coworkers if they've heard of the company and if so, what's their opinion of it.

Look in your local telephone directory to see if they're listed. Contact the BBB to see if they're listed. Contact Joint to see if they are accredited. Contact your local BON and/or the secretary of your local state to ask everything GrnTea told you to ask.

Don't automatically respond to e-mail, website or telephone inquiries for sensitive information. If possible, go in person to fill out an application.

Consider contacting the three credit reporting companies (Equifax, Trans Union, and that other one), let them know that your SSN and personal info has potentially been compromised, and ask if there's anything you can do to protect your credit history. Perhaps they can place an alert on your accounts.

Hopefully nothing will come from this. Best of luck.

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