CV fraud warning issued

14:50 21st October 2008

A new study has highlighted the importance of protecting personal data when applying for jobs.

According to the BBC, an experiment conducted by a firm called iProfile has revealed just how easy it can be to obtain enough information from an applicant to commit fraud.

iProfile set up a fake company and then advertised for the role of an office manager via an ad in a national newspaper.

Over 100 people applied, and of the people who sent their CVs, 61 provided enough information to enable credit card fraud to be carried out.

According to iProfile, information about when and where a person was born and their marital status is ideal for someone looking to steal an identity.

Commenting on the findings, Metropolitan Police Det Supt Russell Day told the BBC: "We advise everyone not to post personal details on the internet which could collectively be used to clone your identity."

The experiment was staged during the recent national identity fraud prevention week earlier in October with the backing of the Police and the Information Assurance Advisory Council.