Identity Theft of Employee Records
As an employer, you have everything identity thieves need to carry out their crimes: people’s full names, Social Security numbers, birth dates, addresses, etc. In the same way you are careful about guarding your customer lists, you also must hide your employee records from prying eyes, too.
You may not realize it, but employee leasing companies can help you guard against employee identity theft. For example, a qualified PEO is able to handle your payroll and human resources. This means less people under your roof would handle your employment files and all the sensitive information they contain.
In addition to an employee leasing company, you should consider the following safeguards against employee identity theft in your company:
- Lock file cabinets and rooms that contain employee information.
- Provide ongoing training to your employees regarding encryption of sensitive data and not sharing any company information with those who should not see it. This includes employees who haphazardly forward e-mails or leaving file cabinets unlocked.
- If an employee changes departments, also change the employee’s rights to access company information.
- Change passwords often for computer files with employee information.
- Continually remind your employees that they must take care of their receipts, checkbooks, purses, wallets, and other personal items at work that could be stolen by an identity thief.
- Consider background checks before hiring employees and use care in hiring temporary workers.
- Do not print Social Security numbers on ID badges, insurance cards, forms, timecards, timesheets, etc.
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