I have been asked by my full date of birth as an application identifier by several prospective employers.

45 Comments

1. Drea RahmingJune 9,2023 at 1:43PM UTC

   Not sure but I do know that when filling out the various forms gor HR it's listed and required would love to see other responses

2. AnonymousJune 9,2023 at 1:51PM UTC

   This gets asked constantly by certain agencies and some employees to check if you’ve ever been there before for rehire. I give them false information (and I tell them I am) until they actually interview me and then want to hire me. This is way too much information to give away and you have every right to be concerned.

3. AnonymousJune 11,2023 at 3:56AM UTC

   How do you tell them on the application that the info. you're providing is false without an issue?

4. BNJune 9,2023 at 2:25PM UTC

   There is no reason to give this to a perspective employer. Once you've interviewed and have a job offer in hand, you may be asked when filling out the pre-hire paperwork or for background checks (whichever would require your consent).

5. Cindy GloverJune 9,2023 at 4:38PM UTC

   I only ask for this upon their acceptance of offer from the company.

   Unless you specifically agreed (and signed a document)) to a BCI and /or credit check

   Any other time is not appropriate in my opinion.

6. AnonymousJune 9,2023 at 4:41PM UTC

   This is dicey. Your full date of birth will tell the employer how old you are, which could lead to age discrimination. Would you want to work for a company like that? That being said, there's no reason at all to provide this information before you're officially an employee. I recommend pushing back against such requests. With all the people I've hired, I've always managed to keep applications identified some other way (say, by using their name :-)

7. AnonymousJune 9,2023 at 4:42PM UTC

   RUN!

8. Diane LinkeJune 9,2023 at 6:20PM UTC

   their timing is off in terms of when to ask you this in order to possibly do a background check if they made an offer. Is it a reputable employer and is it their recruiting site? If so, I think you are overthinking this in terms of ID theft. There have been so many security breaches these days that you need ID theft monitoring and protection anyway.

9. Looking for a changeJune 9,2023 at 9:33PM UTC

   I had an interview where they wanted to scan my drivers license. I said I’m not comfortable and didn’t give it. After the interview I got an email asking me to consent to a background check. I responded that I wasn’t able to consent with an offer letter. They hadn’t even verbally told me they’d hire me. I never heard from the company again. I wouldn’t give my dob and wouldn’t give my social.

10. AnonymousJune 10,2023 at 12:23PM UTC

    I have seen this a few times, which is why I established a personal policy. I do not provide DOB, any part of my SSN, or any reference contact info before completing interviews and receiving an offer letter (if I know I will accept). PERIOD. I think any reputable company will understand this. I don’t think you’re overthinking. I think we all need to think more about these things before we hand over our data and our references contact info.

11. Ellen Smith FaganJune 10,2023 at 12:36PM UTC

    There needs to be some sort of agreed-upon code that is NOT any of our basic ID, but provides a "club handshake" for safe greeting in communications.

12. Diane McDevittJune 10,2023 at 12:39PM UTC

    I’ve run into this scenario as well as 1) references at the application - hard no; 2) and a few post application - anonymous surveys that ask for your full birthdate (but no, that’s never going to be tied by an identifier (the survey code) to your application. If they ask for anything before a job offer, it’s a scam and watch out for ‘recruiters’ with gmail addresses

13. Lorraine HerreraJune 10,2023 at 1:34PM UTC

    A company shouldn’t be asking DOB in the application process anyway, because there are age groups that are protected class. That is why the questions about race and disability are always voluntary too, you shouldn’t be required to give any protected identifier in an application. Another person said was asked for a drivers license too in an interview, please don’t. I think in every work I’ve had you give that information when you accept an offer and with new technology now they sent you those documents in some secure sign form for you to fill. My identity was used to work and collect taxes while I was in college, everything is so annoying after that, now I have to live my life verifying is me, even fill the taxes is a nightmare some times. To get e-verified during the pandemic when I lost my job took weeks because I needed to verify identity personally with an agent and the system was overload. Someone else does the crime, but you basically pay for it the rest of your life, so please don’t risk it, is not worth it.

14. AnonymousJune 10,2023 at 2:54PM UTC

    I have experienced this as well. Responding to a position announcement on Indeed, for example, leads to applying on the company website. I was not allowed to move forward without entering my full date of birth. I went ahead and did that and regretted it. Not only did I not hear back from the company, I worried about that information and my privacy. If ever faced with it again, I would call HR and depending on their response, report it to the EEOC. I think it is a way to determine a person's age and discriminate against older applicants in what they consider a subtle way. The other thing I've seen to get at this is asking the dates I was in college. It is an application, not a background check!

15. AnonymousJune 10,2023 at 2:56PM UTC

    This is too much information to be bandied about in an application process. I have a permanent fake birthday for social media and anything like this. Should an actual job offer be proferred, you can then correct any information that is incorrect. Having gone through identity theft once before, I am hyper-vigilant about guarding my privacy.

16. AnonymousJune 10,2023 at 3:30PM UTC

    Unless they need information to check your Government Security clearance, I don't know what they would want that info on an initial application process. Ask them.

17. Sarah StadtherrJune 10,2023 at 4:12PM UTC

    If the only way in is to provide last four of social and DOB why not create a false DOB. I have a friend that created a FB account using 1/1/year as their DOB. It was easy to remember and protected his real DOB.

    If offered and hired, THEN you tell them you used an artificial DOB to protect your privacy and it should now be modified to 00/00/0000. Just make sure you keep that false info in your possession so you can reuse / edit it in the future.

18. AnonymousJune 11,2023 at 2:05PM UTC

    And then you can be terminated for falsifying information on your application. At the very least you would then be calling attention to the very thing you are trying to conceal.

19. AnonymousJune 10,2023 at 5:07PM UTC

    They should not be asking for until you’re being given unless you’re in the final stages & require security clearance - but even the. It’s a contingency on offer. This information should only be given on your employment paperwork on day 1. There are scams out there. I have applied to over 100 position and also have hired hundreds of employees, have never needed to ask or have been asked.

20. AnonymousJune 11,2023 at 11:13AM UTC

    Once they've offered and you've accepted the wage you can be asked that while waiting for a background check result to come back. If they're asking prior you need to check your employment laws in your state. I don't believe this part fluctuates from state to state but it could.

21. Gretchen SkalkaJune 11,2023 at 12:27PM UTC

    If this is part of the background check then yes, they can ask for it. Any other time then no, they can't ask for it.

    The background check requires this kind of self-identification to prevent someone else's information being retrieved as though it's yours.

    Just did a whole livestream on this for jobseekers.

22. AnonymousJune 11,2023 at 2:31PM UTC

    AND the background check is done once you have been offered and accepted the job. NO way should you be providing personal information until you have accepted a job offer; this includes your social.

23. Gretchen SkalkaJune 12,2023 at 12:18PM UTC

    Absolutely!

24. Katharine GomezJune 11,2023 at 1:05PM UTC

    These are scams! Do not ever give this information during the interview process.

25. Joan Marie VerbaJune 11,2023 at 1:42PM UTC

    I have been asked for this information frequently when applying for a job. They say they need it as an "identifier." I cannot apply unless I give this information. If they need an identifier, why not ask for my phone number instead? (Similarly, I am annoyed when I can't apply unless I "register" and create a username and password. Just give me a form to fill out, let me attach my resume and cover letter, and leave it at that. I don't want to "register" in order to apply for a job.)

26. AyianJune 11,2023 at 3:07PM UTC

    It is common in low-wage positions to be asked for all of this information prior to an interview, let alone an actual job offer. Yes, it is legal. It is not necessarily risking your identity if you are smart about what postings you are applying to. If it seems sketchy, it is sketchy - don't apply at all. If the posting is well written and the company is a verifiable company with your information going through their website or a known hiring website, you're 99.99999% okay.

27. Robyn EidelJune 11,2023 at 3:42PM UTC

    I've been asked that question on every application I fill out, from the company's website. I'll be 60 in September and haven't had a single offer. I'm beginning to think it's age discrimination.

28. Teena JonesJune 11,2023 at 8:19PM UTC

    the market is has become a lot tighter. Not sure what you have on your resume but focus on your key accomplishments over the last 5 years. If the company requires more they will let you know. If you are working in a key field such as IT go back 7 years. Make sure it lines up with the industry and company. Since you are older don't be afraid to show where you are flexibly, creative and you are able to both be empowered but empower others. Believe you are an assets to any team and age has nothing to do with knowledge skills and ability it is about how you use those skills. Notate the jobs you think are using your age against you and dig a little deeper to have them evaluated. Report it to the AARP they will help.

29. Janet ParkhurstJune 11,2023 at 10:21PM UTC

    AARP? Really? I'd report them to the U.S. Bureau of Labor.

30. Janet ParkhurstJune 11,2023 at 10:19PM UTC

    Of COURSE it is! Stop doing it. It's completely illegal to ask a person's date of birth. Period.

31. AnonymousJune 11,2023 at 4:35PM UTC

    Some larger or government or older style entities will request this as part of their application process. Use numbers that are not correct in the SSI like 1234. For date of birth use something like 1-1-1900. Is it legal, yes. Should you comply at the onset, no. Especially if this is 100% remote. Scams are rampant these days and you have to protect your identity. I strongly suggest you also remove your home address from your resume/CV as well. The only contact information they need is your name, email and phone number. I also recommend removing your real phone number and getting a relay phone number like a google voice so that if you get a call especially during the days while you may be at work then you can screen to see who it is from before answering it in your office. Also then you can be prepared for who is might be before you pick up the phone. Less is more as there are a lot of bad actors out there especially now. Good for you for asking and stay safe!

32. Teena JonesJune 11,2023 at 8:15PM UTC

    When you are completing the application only provide the necessary. Always notate you will provide your full SSN once hired. If you are working with a recruiter from the company or an agency they will work with that until the background screening process which is when you will need to provide the correct information. If you are worried about your information going into the wrong hands you have every right to validate who is collecting your information. If the job wants you they will be understanding. nothing more than your name business email and phone number should be listed on your resume. Limit who you expose your personal information. This information must be protected at all cost.

33. Maria Paula CalvoJune 11,2023 at 8:36PM UTC

    Legality of this varies from country to country. I am not in the US and can tell that in some geographies this is still a regular practice. However, providing such kind of information sets strong basis for potential age discrimination. So, if you are not obliged to disclose it, I strongly recommend not to do it at the moment of the application. It will certainly be covered if you progress in the process and reach the hiring phase because you will have to provide anything related to your ID, but not earlier. Good luck in your search!

34. Kiany SmithJune 11,2023 at 9:26PM UTC

    i would be wary if it’s part of the initial application. later on in the process, they may request it as part of their background check process

35. AnonymousJune 12,2023 at 2:44AM UTC

    You are smart to suspect that providing this information can result in a data leak. DO NOT DO IT.

    Asking a candidate their age or date of birth is actually an illegal interview question, just as asking what is your religion or if you are handicapped. Cannot ask and completely inappropriate and unprofessional. If a recruiter is asking questions like these, walk away.

    Per the EEOC, there are "prohibited practices" for hiring- employers cannot base hiring decisions on race, age, religion, sex, etc., thus we cannot ask certain questions during the hiring process.

    Once the hiring process is completed and a successful candidate has been selected, the employer can then have them complete a background check to ensure that the candidate is who they say they are- they have the work experience and degree(s) and also verify if they have a criminal record, etc. There are federal laws in place to help ensure that these checks are not used to discriminate.

36. Diane McDevittJune 12,2023 at 1:14PM UTC

    It's unnecessary at the application stage - consider the source requesting the information and the timing. I've worked in compliance and any information requested that's PII (personal identifiable information) is not being offered at the application stage and I've had company's ask for the full birthdate (not required); a copy of my driver's license (really, not required) and the full social. Most times these are 'gimme' questions - not required (no *) next to the question. I categorically will not provide this. In some cases, like Talentify - if you have seen those posts, you get a IPSOS survey after application - totally anonymous (sorry, my sarcasm filter isn't working). It's not anonymous and it does ask for a birthdate. There are so many scammers out there trying to snatch your id - be very careful, that 'too-good-to-be-true' scenario is just that.

37. PamJune 12,2023 at 2:48PM UTC

    It can also be discriminatory for older and younger candidates. The only age related question should be ; Are you over the age of 18 yrs ?

    Candidates can be overlooked based on age criteria with no repercussion or explanation despite meeting or exceeding job qualifications.

    Hopefully, this question on job applications will be challenged further in the legal arena and fines imposed.

38. MislynJune 13,2023 at 4:11AM UTC

    I’ve been asked for my full date of birth on every application I have filled out lately. It does seem like it could be discrimination. Wonder of it matters if you leave that spot blank. It’s really no one’s business how old you are.

39. Stacey DunleavyJune 13,2023 at 10:29AM UTC

    It's. A. Scam. I gave this once and never heard from them again. Luckily, my bank account wasn't drained.

    Protect yourself... Give them a date and SSN that's a number or two off...

40. Paulla Fetzek, MSEdJune 13,2023 at 1:25PM UTC

    While I appreciate the concept of protection - giving a false SSN is illegal. That "altered" SSN could easily belong to someone else.

41. Stacey DunleavyJune 13,2023 at 6:14PM UTC

    Who's to say that they didn't just mis-hear "sixteen" instead of "fifteen" ? for the phone scammers, I'm always telling them my name is "Jane Deaux" with a made up SSN...

42. Paulla Fetzek, MSEdJune 13,2023 at 1:23PM UTC

    It's not unlawful whatsoever to ask for a person's DOB on an application. HOW the employer uses the information, however can be. Most employers ask for age so they can demonstrate they're not ageist. They usually ask for your sex and national origin as well. Same reasons.

    It's also not illegal to ask for your SSN. However, you are not required to fill out this information if you're uncomfortable.

43. surfnwriteJune 14,2023 at 1:47AM UTC

    I had to provide a copy of my driver's license or passport. Until then they believed, based on my graduation date, that I was 10 years younger than I was!

44. AnonymousJune 14,2023 at 7:10PM UTC

    How does providing a date of birth or SSN have anything whatsoever to do with an employer "investing their time?" The law is that you cannot background check a person until you have given a conditional offer of employment. You cannot do that up front.

45. Ellyn Specker CharapJune 14,2023 at 10:23PM UTC

    How "prospective" are we talking? Prospective as in "filling out the hiring paperwork but won't start the job for a bit," or prospective as in, "got contacted by 4 recruiters and weirdly, they all want to know my age and the last 4 digits of my social."? The first makes sense, the second does not.