If you've been on the job hunt for a while, you can probably fill out job applications in your sleep. Name, date of birth, phone number, email address, social security number, and previous employment history seem to be the most easy to answer questions . However, the information you're giving out may lead to more than just a potential job, it could also lead to

identity theft

.

Here are a few tips for keeping your identity safe while seeking employment:

• Only give out limited personal information.

While companies may ask for your date of birth and social security number on an application, according to one source, you don't have to share this personal information until after you've received a job offer.  Also, you should try to remember to always hand back any paper applications to the human resource department or hiring manager, not just any company employee.

• Do your homework.

Online job posting sites are great when they are legitimate, but there are plenty of scammers who post fake job listings. If you are asked for your bank account number, a background check or a copy of your bills before meeting your potential employer in person, you should proceed with caution. Similarly, before applying for any jobs, you should your research to make sure the business has a website that's easy to locate, physical address, phone number and license. 

• Stay safe online.

If you do apply for a job online, make sure your Internet connection and the site itself are secure. You can tell if a site is secure by looking for the “https” or a tiny lock icon in the URL. You can also create a separate email address and/or invest in a temporary cell phone, that way your identity stays safe from any phishing scams.

• Keep a record.

Always keep a record of which jobs you have applied for and on what sites. Some scammers will contact you saying they saw your resume on a site that you have actually never posted your information to. And, even if you did post your resume on that site, as mentioned above, you should do your homework on the business to make sure they are legitimate.

Job hunting can be a grueling, time consuming process without the added frustration of having your identity stolen. If you choose to follow our tips in being extra careful while finding a new job, you should enroll in our

Identity Theft Protection

service so that you can keep tabs on your identity at all times!