Is Equifax Actually Selling Your Salary Info?

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Equifax also operates an employment verification database that contains sensitive employment information for more than 1/3 of all employed Americans. Aside from being a huge pinata just waiting for a hacker’s swing, it’s unclear exactly what info is being sold to third parties.

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Its database is so detailed that it contains week-by-week paystub information dating back years for many individuals, as well as other kinds of human resources-related information, such as health care provider, whether someone has dental insurance and if they’ve ever filed an unemployment claim. In 2009, Equifax said the data covered 30 percent of the U.S. working population, and it now says The Work Number is adding 12 million records annually.

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To people who value their privacy, this is a truly scary proposition. Putting aside the concerns about hacking the data, which Equifax assures in secure, the big issue is exactly what is made available to third parties that can request info from The Work Number?

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to check if your employer is involved with the The Work Number, go LINK and click on “Find Employer Name” right above the Log In button. That will bring up a window where you can search for your employer.

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If your employer is supplying info to The Work Number, you are entitled to one free report every 12 months.

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