Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Do you know anybody that freezes or have you ever
heard of being able to freeze your work number?
Speaker 2 (00:10):
Phone number?
Speaker 1 (00:11):
See, that's what I thought when I heard it. It's
not your phone number. Oh, it's not like your your
work phone number. I had never heard of this term.
I know nothing about it until I started reading about
it yesterday, like work.
Speaker 3 (00:26):
Number, like you have a designated employee number or something,
because we have those a sign.
Speaker 4 (00:31):
I think Diane's right, But that's but that is who
will we freeze that with the radio company?
Speaker 2 (00:36):
Yeah?
Speaker 5 (00:37):
Nobody?
Speaker 2 (00:37):
The only I heard.
Speaker 5 (00:39):
That's not true.
Speaker 2 (00:42):
You think outside entities know what your work number is.
Speaker 1 (00:46):
The work number is an employment verification system that is
run by Equifax.
Speaker 5 (00:54):
Didn't equifex get hacked at some point then they'll have.
Speaker 1 (00:59):
Uh Anyway, The work number is an employment verification system
run by Equifax. Employers send employee data into the system. Examples,
your job, your wage, your salary details, the dates of
(01:21):
your employment, and several other work related details. So when
you apply for a job somewhere else, that employer can
then order a copy of your employment data report your eder.
Speaker 5 (01:35):
Has anybody ever heard of this before? Now?
Speaker 4 (01:38):
And this is not because then I started thinking maybe
this is tied to ten, the taxpayer identification number, right
that you have to use if like your socials have
been stolen and then they're getting their return and impersonating
and stealing your identity. But you haven't once mentioned taxes.
Speaker 5 (02:00):
Has nothing to do with taxes, So that's.
Speaker 4 (02:02):
A whole different number onto itself completely.
Speaker 3 (02:04):
Is this just it's so new, We've been here so
long we haven't heard about it.
Speaker 5 (02:08):
It's not new.
Speaker 2 (02:10):
So this has been in existence for years and years.
Speaker 4 (02:14):
Like when Diane, I don't know what's hired or told her,
presented her paperwork with her work number, but.
Speaker 1 (02:20):
I don't even know that it would be from them.
They may have inputted it. Even if it started within
the last twenty five years, they've still inputted your input
it your information. Okay, Christian, will you see if anybody
knows the work number through Equifax? Please eight six six
to Elliott eight six six two three five five four
six eight.
Speaker 2 (02:40):
Is this another thing that we have to say said
you should freeze it?
Speaker 5 (02:43):
Okay?
Speaker 6 (02:43):
No?
Speaker 5 (02:44):
No, are you looking for a job right now?
Speaker 4 (02:45):
No?
Speaker 5 (02:46):
Are you just saying that because I'm sitting here well
now the uh no.
Speaker 1 (02:49):
No, But like if you're if you are not looking
for a job, if you are in a place of employment,
did I not give the number?
Speaker 5 (02:55):
Sorry?
Speaker 1 (02:55):
Eight six six to Elliott eight six six two three
five five four six eight somebody who knows about the
work number. But if you're not looking for a job,
if you're not actively seeking a job, they say that
you should freeze it. Companies send this data to the
work number because it makes their lives easier. Human resource
(03:17):
departments are asked to provide work verification on a regular
basis to the work number. For example, you go to
rent an apartment, you go to get a mortgage on
your house, A lot of times you have to write
down your job so that they can verify that you
(03:39):
have a job and that you make x amount of
money that you would be able to pay for it.
Speaker 4 (03:44):
Buying and leasing a car.
Speaker 5 (03:45):
Buying and leasing a car exactly.
Speaker 1 (03:50):
Like the apartment that I wanted to live in in
LA I was not going to be able to afford
on seventeen thousand dollars a year. So I'm sure when
they went to Equifax they saw number one, I can't
afford it, and number two I would soon be bouncing checks.
Speaker 5 (04:07):
Thanks to Judith Light.
Speaker 4 (04:10):
It was Today show. Just caught up with Yes, yeah.
Speaker 5 (04:13):
Yeah, losers the I'd like to catch up with her.
How about fifty dollars now.
Speaker 2 (04:18):
She's doing that Billy Crystal show.
Speaker 1 (04:20):
I would you know what if I caught up with
Judith Light now, I would give her fifty dollars and go,
you know what, I don't need it anymore? Actually I do,
but still she's not talking about number. Yeah anyway, So
they are regularly giving this info to the work number.
(04:42):
So that way, when when you go into Lisa Carr,
you go in to rent an apartment, they can run
your information without having to call your job like, oh,
can I hold for Alice?
Speaker 5 (04:53):
Well, she's not really here? What about Carlo's long lunch?
Like whatever.
Speaker 1 (04:58):
Giving this information to the work number automates the process
so they don't have to respond manually to every verification request.
Think about how many HR departments there.
Speaker 4 (05:08):
Are, right.
Speaker 1 (05:10):
Plus, they benefit when hiring people because they can quickly
and easily verify your resume, which I also didn't know.
Speaker 5 (05:20):
I had no idea.
Speaker 1 (05:22):
So let's say I get fired and I apply for
a job and then get I get hired at a
different radio station, and they could say oh, well, what's
your work history. Well I can make up all kinds
of flowery stuff, but if they go on the work number,
they could see.
Speaker 5 (05:38):
I had no idea that existed.
Speaker 4 (05:41):
How is that possible? Nineteen eighty five the database was created.
Speaker 1 (05:47):
Oh so that is before you got here, Diane, if
you're working.
Speaker 5 (05:58):
Oh.
Speaker 1 (05:58):
They also said the other way, the other way that
this can backfire on you. Let's say, for example, you
have a job, right, you have a regular, full time job,
and part of your requirements during that job is that
and there are companies that do this. You're not allowed
to have outside jobs. But some people will go, well,
it's the holidays, I need a little money, I'm going away,
(06:19):
like whatever, and they'll go out and they'll get a
part time job. Like I remember there was somebody who
worked here who I don't know if they were restricted,
but like they went and got a second job at
pottery barn so that they could help furnish they she
and her husband discounts, and she wanted the employee discount,
so she got a part time job. Anyway, your company
(06:41):
would be able to go in and look and see
you're working secondary jobs, and you know what they would
do fire you the work number, dude, I had no idea.
This is like all Big Brother stuff. I know, I
had no clue. I mean, it's not, but it's an
other way of tracking. But if somebody can get in there,
(07:03):
they can start seeing all of your stuff.
Speaker 4 (07:06):
You've made that clear, and I Heart Radio makes that
clear as well.
Speaker 2 (07:14):
Or was this something that we didn't acknowledge in the handbook.
Speaker 4 (07:17):
I can't speak for Odyssey, but I can tell you
that we use an automated service. In parentheses, is the
work number to provide employment verification information departs to parties
such as prospective employers or financial institutions, and that is
under the header employment verification in the Employee Handbook.
Speaker 1 (07:42):
If I would bet Odyssey does, I'll ask Brett. Maybe
he can pull it up in his maserati.
Speaker 4 (07:47):
You know what that writer is killing you to that? Wow,
I'd never heard of this, and I've read through this.
I thought, I haven't.
Speaker 3 (08:00):
You read through the entire Employee Guideline Handbook.
Speaker 4 (08:04):
More or so on this stuff. Because we've talked about
background checks prior to this conversation.
Speaker 5 (08:09):
Now ground check me all you want.
Speaker 4 (08:10):
We've talked about references and these are.
Speaker 5 (08:12):
Remember we also talked about whether or not they can
go through your desk.
Speaker 4 (08:16):
Oh, yes, but these are all The answer is yes,
with references and background checks. They're in the same or
on the same page as the explanation of the work number.
Speaker 1 (08:26):
Never heard of it, never heard of it. They say
you should freeze it. But then what happens if you
freeze it? And then I'll grab these calls? I got
a bunch of people on hold. What happens if you
freeze it? Let's say I freeze my the work number.
And by the way, it's not the easiest process to do,
but it's also not hard. Yeah, most of it seems
hard because you've never heard of it, except for apparently
(08:50):
everybody on hold. But they say you should go and
freeze it. But what happens if Alice is trying to
update my information or just upload my information and it's
from is there some.
Speaker 3 (09:02):
Kind of like hey, you contact you and say, hey,
you need to unfreeze this.
Speaker 5 (09:05):
Why are you trying to steal my identity?
Speaker 2 (09:07):
No, I'm trying to input some new information.
Speaker 5 (09:09):
I'll do it. What information?
Speaker 4 (09:11):
There's no way, Alice. I mean, if it would be
the work number of people would be Equifax.
Speaker 1 (09:15):
No, no, but somebody has to go to Equifax and
upload the information.
Speaker 4 (09:19):
But somebody who is trying to unfreeze it isn't going
to your local HR within your company.
Speaker 1 (09:24):
No, no, no, but like like but like it says
in here, HR will will routinely update everybody's information. So
if HR is updating my information but I have frozen
my work number, they can't update it. Nobody can touch it,
nobody can smell it, sniff it, eat it.
Speaker 4 (09:43):
Now the company, the radio company, my heart explains that
you have control over this and you can provide this
information via the work number for proof of employment or
for proof of income. You just need your social there's
an employer code. I'm not going to read that off.
(10:04):
And there's a phone number to call, and then they will.
Speaker 5 (10:07):
I'm about a complaint department.
Speaker 4 (10:09):
They will help if you're trying to buy home, rent
a apartment, Lisa caruse credit.
Speaker 1 (10:14):
Yes, well, yes, the three hundred people that they recently fired,
if that helped them get.
Speaker 4 (10:18):
Their house, No, I hurt via the work number, Oh okay.
And then you can also do a salary key. It
is a six digit number that allows one time access
to salary information for proof of income.
Speaker 1 (10:32):
Wait, so I can look up anybody in iHeart and
see what their salary is.
Speaker 2 (10:36):
Let's do it.
Speaker 4 (10:39):
It'd be pretty it'd be pretty easy, actually.
Speaker 1 (10:41):
And you could see anybody's salary. Yes, yes, let's do it.
Speaker 4 (10:46):
Well, no, I don't know if this should be done
live on air.
Speaker 5 (10:50):
I can't think of actually a better place to do it.
Speaker 4 (10:54):
I just don't think your pin should be your birth date.
Why is that the default? Oh? T wn?
Speaker 1 (11:08):
By the way, this is why it's easy to steal
your identity going through the work number.
Speaker 5 (11:13):
Yeah, I'm freezing mine And this was at not true.
Speaker 1 (11:16):
I've actually frozen mine.
Speaker 4 (11:20):
This was the link off workday?
Speaker 5 (11:22):
Was it really? Yeah?
Speaker 4 (11:23):
This information?
Speaker 1 (11:24):
Who do we want to know? Wait, it's only one time?
Do I only get to know one person?
Speaker 6 (11:28):
Oh?
Speaker 4 (11:28):
Cheers wisely? Uh is it a let's say the salary key?
It says, yes, it is. It is one time access.
Speaker 3 (11:37):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (11:38):
Oh, I can't believe how easy this is to hack.
Speaker 5 (11:48):
Yeah, well that's why they tell you to freeze it.
Speaker 4 (11:50):
That's what the thieves who broken neck or fact said.
Speaker 1 (11:52):
That's why that's why I froze mine before I even
ever brought this up.
Speaker 4 (11:57):
You hear so much though about the ways in which
your information is out there? How how does this not
come up?
Speaker 1 (12:06):
Because and by the way, the whole reason this exists
companies are lazy.
Speaker 5 (12:11):
That's the entire reason this exists.
Speaker 4 (12:13):
Or do they just not have the resources.
Speaker 1 (12:15):
Because I heard fired all of them. Yeah, but they
make it easier to find their house.
Speaker 5 (12:21):
Where am I going? Line eight?
Speaker 1 (12:22):
Hi?
Speaker 5 (12:23):
Elliott in the morning.
Speaker 7 (12:26):
Hey Elliott, this is Frank. I'm a head of talent
acquisition for a pretty big company in Bethesda.
Speaker 5 (12:30):
I'm sorry, you're the head of what acquisition? A head
of recruiting.
Speaker 7 (12:35):
It's call talent acquisition in some spaces.
Speaker 5 (12:37):
Are you Are you like a radio company? Are you
looking for talent?
Speaker 3 (12:41):
Hi?
Speaker 5 (12:42):
Let me give you my work number? Always always right? Wait,
so what do you got for me?
Speaker 7 (12:49):
So, the majority of the time this is used after
somebody accepts an offer and authorizes the employer to do
an employment verification, and the work number is one of
several vendors that collect this information, so they're not the
only vendor that collect this information. And companies can choose
as part as their background check package. So if you
(13:11):
use one company for your background check package, they may
use the work number. If you use a different company.
They may use a different company. So it's kind of
hard to trace and track all of these organizations because
there's multiple of them. Spe Typically, again, it's only verified
if if you've accepted an offer and signed off on
your information being verified.
Speaker 1 (13:32):
But can I ask you this, like, obviously you work
in talent recruitment if you do most people. For example,
I've worked for iHeart twenty five years here New York.
There's another nine I've worked for iHeart for a decent
amount of time.
Speaker 5 (13:50):
I didn't know we do this, do most people?
Speaker 1 (13:52):
And maybe this is more a like a thumbs down
on me, Like don't people just sign off on the book?
They have no idea or they'll go so, hey, we
want to verify your employment, which I think means, oh,
you're going to call another radio company and ask about
by working there. It doesn't mean they're going to go
into into my work number.
Speaker 7 (14:12):
Yeah. The majority of the time you're actually signing off
of this when you.
Speaker 5 (14:16):
Apply for the job.
Speaker 7 (14:17):
Oh right, So as part of your application process, when
you sign you agree to, if selected for employment, to
complete the background check and employment verification process if drug
tests are required, et cetera.
Speaker 4 (14:30):
Et cetera.
Speaker 7 (14:31):
Right, so it happens very early on, so you're not
even thinking about it.
Speaker 5 (14:36):
No, you know, because I want the job.
Speaker 7 (14:37):
To submit that online application, like you submit hundreds of
online applications some folks right now, right, so they're agreeing
to this for hundreds of companies at any particular time. Yeah,
So I am also somebody who freezes my credit and
freezes my work number.
Speaker 5 (14:54):
You freeze both. I do. Good for you. You're very smart.
Wish I were as smart as you. Hey, one last one,
last time.
Speaker 1 (15:04):
The if I were to say to you, right, I
will not sign off on you going to work number?
Does that would that prevent you from hiring me?
Speaker 7 (15:16):
It would not. There's actually alternate ways to verify the
employment that we can request, and that's through W two's
or pay stubs, right, so we would just ask for
alternate methods of prime and verification.
Speaker 1 (15:29):
Okay, all right, very good, very good. Oh I like that,
all right, very good, thank you. I'm gonna I'm gonna
opt out no the next time, like if I go
into like Lisa Carr, we're going to verify, Nope, I
opt out.
Speaker 4 (15:46):
Us W two previously apter that say again, you're saying
you're going to opt out via work number.
Speaker 1 (15:54):
Free I'm freezing and then I'm opting out. So if
I go to rent an apartment and they say, hey,
we you know, as part of this we verifying, like, well,
you better get on the phone because I opt out,
It's just like when they asked to take my picture
at TSA. Nope, I opt out. Why am I being
(16:15):
wrestled to the ground.
Speaker 4 (16:18):
Odyssey does use the work number?
Speaker 5 (16:21):
Oh thanks, Brett.
Speaker 4 (16:25):
You can check to see there's a database where you
can see which companies and businesses are using TWN.
Speaker 5 (16:32):
Can you ask can you check one other? One? Sure?
Speaker 4 (16:34):
Cumulus, I am not a robot. Hold on, I didn't
check that, dude.
Speaker 5 (16:40):
I had to do one of those yesterday.
Speaker 1 (16:42):
I thought i'd like a Yeah, I thought I checked
every bicycle in the pictures.
Speaker 5 (16:47):
I guess I didn't because I got frozen out of that.
Speaker 4 (16:49):
I likes the you know what.
Speaker 5 (16:52):
I think that maybe what it was.
Speaker 4 (16:55):
Cumulus does use the work number.
Speaker 5 (16:57):
Oh my god, why didn't I invent work number? Jesus Christ.
Speaker 4 (17:02):
Oh it's another regrette.
Speaker 1 (17:03):
Somebody somebody's a billionaire and they have all of my information.
Speaker 4 (17:07):
So many people are like, how is this even legal.
What do you mean You're questioning the legality of this
information being collected and often not being explained to or even.
Speaker 5 (17:20):
But they'll tell you it is being explained.
Speaker 4 (17:21):
Because it's in the handbook.
Speaker 1 (17:23):
Yes, but they know, they know, damn well, nobody reads
the handbook.
Speaker 4 (17:27):
I cannot believe how easy it is. And listen, you'll
hear from people who explored the dark web and are very.
Speaker 5 (17:34):
Oh, I'm going to post all this simple on the
dark web and.
Speaker 4 (17:36):
Very knowledgeable about hacking that it's simple, easy. But the
way you could access wage history with this the company
just gives it to a normal person is pretty simple.
Speaker 1 (17:52):
Yeah, and I'm doing it so as we get off today, Hello,
work number?
Speaker 5 (17:57):
Where am I going mine too?
Speaker 7 (17:59):
Hi?
Speaker 5 (17:59):
Elliot, Hey, this is Nicky and Richmond. Yes, Nicki and Richmond.
What can I do for you?
Speaker 4 (18:07):
So?
Speaker 8 (18:07):
I've worked in the mortgage industry for almost eighteen years
and we use the work number of banks do to
verify employment or wages. It's kind of like a system
of texts and balances that matches over the W two's
or whatever income we tell the bank that you make.
Because a lot of HR companies don't want to be
answering phone calls to mortgage lenders and underwriters. So we
(18:29):
use the work number to verify employment and a lot
of times we need your independent salary key code that's
generated as a one time use, like you said, from
your employer. So it's not something you can just pull
up for just anybody at any time. Generally you have
to have a code.
Speaker 1 (18:45):
I have a code, the the iHeart code. Yeah, no,
they put our code in the handbook.
Speaker 8 (18:54):
No, well that's different than what we have to go through.
Speaker 5 (18:56):
Then maybe it's different for banks.
Speaker 8 (18:58):
But yeah, we use it all the time to last
like almost twenty years.
Speaker 1 (19:01):
What are the odds that the biggest, the person who
is ripping us off the most is actually Pittman.
Speaker 5 (19:09):
He has access to all of it. He's hacking everybody.
Speaker 1 (19:14):
But what doesn't it seem like you said that the
employer has to give you the code.
Speaker 5 (19:20):
They gave us the code.
Speaker 8 (19:21):
Yeah, a lot of times you want to go, you
have to obtain it.
Speaker 5 (19:26):
Yeah, we worked for the stupidest company ever.
Speaker 1 (19:31):
Is Can I ask you this like the other guy
who called and said that there are several companies like
this is the work number?
Speaker 5 (19:37):
Just the biggest? Are they the Kleenex of this.
Speaker 4 (19:41):
Yes, what are the other ones?
Speaker 8 (19:47):
I've never used any other one in eighteen years?
Speaker 5 (19:50):
Have you used anything but a cleanex?
Speaker 3 (19:51):
No?
Speaker 1 (19:53):
Yeah, I have no idea. I have no clue would
they use it? Thank you, ma'am, you've been very helpful.
Speaker 4 (19:58):
Rapid Verify true of you, true work argyle. They all
claim to be they all suck alternatives.
Speaker 5 (20:03):
I am the work number. I am the work number. Hi,
Elliott the morning. Hello, Hi, who's this.
Speaker 7 (20:14):
Now?
Speaker 1 (20:14):
I know why?
Speaker 7 (20:15):
Everybody says? Is this me?
Speaker 5 (20:16):
Yeah? I know, I understand anyway, Yes, what can I
do for you? Sir?
Speaker 6 (20:21):
I just locked my solid security number yesterday. It's a
government site called dash verify dot gov.
Speaker 5 (20:28):
Right, yeah, I'm not a government worker though.
Speaker 7 (20:32):
No, it's for everybody.
Speaker 5 (20:34):
Oh, tone the.
Speaker 4 (20:38):
Why did you have to lock it?
Speaker 5 (20:39):
That's what I was just gonna ask why.
Speaker 6 (20:43):
I got a note from credit Wise that my information
was on the dark with Oh.
Speaker 5 (20:50):
Dude, your info has been on the dark web for
ten years.
Speaker 6 (20:55):
Absolutely, it's been on the web for dark ten years.
I just found out about this after I certain research
and stuff.
Speaker 1 (21:00):
Oh, I got you here. What's your social Security number?
I'll look it up right now? Hey, what is the
So you did that? Are you going to freeze your
work number?
Speaker 6 (21:11):
I think the work number systems talk to this, because
when I read through it, it says if anybody tries
to validate, they'll get an error that you don't work there.
I don't know how it all interrupted, it all works together,
but becus to the government, I think they have to
verify your social sciority numbers is legit.
Speaker 5 (21:31):
I think I can understand that. But that's not that's
not I don't understand it now.
Speaker 4 (21:41):
But misery loves company. If I had a penny for
every time I got the alert that my information was
found in the dark web or that there was a
new sex offender in my area, my income via the
work number would not be accurate because I have supplemental
from all those pennies.
Speaker 5 (21:59):
All right, are you good? Thank you, sir, thank you?
So were we not? Are we not freezing our work numbers?
Speaker 4 (22:04):
I think we should consider.
Speaker 5 (22:05):
I think I'm gonna do it. Yeah, I think I'm
gonna do two things. When we get off today.
Speaker 1 (22:09):
I'm definitely freezing mine and I am looking up some
employee salaries.
Speaker 4 (22:15):
That's crazy, it's crazy, but it also will be a
segment that ages poorly when we get fired. AH. This
preceded an unfortunate event. We now need to unfreeze our
work numbers. What's that Alice doesn't talk to former employees, ah,
Do you know anybody that freezes or have you ever
heard of being able to freeze your work number?
Speaker 2 (00:10):
Phone number?
Speaker 1 (00:11):
See, that's what I thought when I heard it. It's
not your phone number. Oh, it's not like your your
work phone number. I had never heard of this term.
I know nothing about it until I started reading about
it yesterday, like work.
Speaker 3 (00:26):
Number, like you have a designated employee number or something,
because we have those a sign.
Speaker 4 (00:31):
I think Diane's right, But that's but that is who
will we freeze that with the radio company?
Speaker 2 (00:36):
Yeah?
Speaker 5 (00:37):
Nobody?
Speaker 2 (00:37):
The only I heard.
Speaker 5 (00:39):
That's not true.
Speaker 2 (00:42):
You think outside entities know what your work number is.
Speaker 1 (00:46):
The work number is an employment verification system that is
run by Equifax.
Speaker 5 (00:54):
Didn't equifex get hacked at some point then they'll have.
Speaker 1 (00:59):
Uh Anyway, The work number is an employment verification system
run by Equifax. Employers send employee data into the system. Examples,
your job, your wage, your salary details, the dates of
(01:21):
your employment, and several other work related details. So when
you apply for a job somewhere else, that employer can
then order a copy of your employment data report your eder.
Speaker 5 (01:35):
Has anybody ever heard of this before? Now?
Speaker 4 (01:38):
And this is not because then I started thinking maybe
this is tied to ten, the taxpayer identification number, right
that you have to use if like your socials have
been stolen and then they're getting their return and impersonating
and stealing your identity. But you haven't once mentioned taxes.
Speaker 5 (02:00):
Has nothing to do with taxes, So that's.
Speaker 4 (02:02):
A whole different number onto itself completely.
Speaker 3 (02:04):
Is this just it's so new, We've been here so
long we haven't heard about it.
Speaker 5 (02:08):
It's not new.
Speaker 2 (02:10):
So this has been in existence for years and years.
Speaker 4 (02:14):
Like when Diane, I don't know what's hired or told her,
presented her paperwork with her work number, but.
Speaker 1 (02:20):
I don't even know that it would be from them.
They may have inputted it. Even if it started within
the last twenty five years, they've still inputted your input
it your information. Okay, Christian, will you see if anybody
knows the work number through Equifax? Please eight six six
to Elliott eight six six two three five five four
six eight.
Speaker 2 (02:40):
Is this another thing that we have to say said
you should freeze it?
Speaker 5 (02:43):
Okay?
Speaker 6 (02:43):
No?
Speaker 5 (02:44):
No, are you looking for a job right now?
Speaker 4 (02:45):
No?
Speaker 5 (02:46):
Are you just saying that because I'm sitting here well
now the uh no.
Speaker 1 (02:49):
No, But like if you're if you are not looking
for a job, if you are in a place of employment,
did I not give the number?
Speaker 5 (02:55):
Sorry?
Speaker 1 (02:55):
Eight six six to Elliott eight six six two three
five five four six eight somebody who knows about the
work number. But if you're not looking for a job,
if you're not actively seeking a job, they say that
you should freeze it. Companies send this data to the
work number because it makes their lives easier. Human resource
(03:17):
departments are asked to provide work verification on a regular
basis to the work number. For example, you go to
rent an apartment, you go to get a mortgage on
your house, A lot of times you have to write
down your job so that they can verify that you
(03:39):
have a job and that you make x amount of
money that you would be able to pay for it.
Speaker 4 (03:44):
Buying and leasing a car.
Speaker 5 (03:45):
Buying and leasing a car exactly.
Speaker 1 (03:50):
Like the apartment that I wanted to live in in
LA I was not going to be able to afford
on seventeen thousand dollars a year. So I'm sure when
they went to Equifax they saw number one, I can't
afford it, and number two I would soon be bouncing checks.
Speaker 5 (04:07):
Thanks to Judith Light.
Speaker 4 (04:10):
It was Today show. Just caught up with Yes, yeah.
Speaker 5 (04:13):
Yeah, losers the I'd like to catch up with her.
How about fifty dollars now.
Speaker 2 (04:18):
She's doing that Billy Crystal show.
Speaker 1 (04:20):
I would you know what if I caught up with
Judith Light now, I would give her fifty dollars and go,
you know what, I don't need it anymore? Actually I do,
but still she's not talking about number. Yeah anyway, So
they are regularly giving this info to the work number.
(04:42):
So that way, when when you go into Lisa Carr,
you go in to rent an apartment, they can run
your information without having to call your job like, oh,
can I hold for Alice?
Speaker 5 (04:53):
Well, she's not really here? What about Carlo's long lunch?
Like whatever.
Speaker 1 (04:58):
Giving this information to the work number automates the process
so they don't have to respond manually to every verification request.
Think about how many HR departments there.
Speaker 4 (05:08):
Are, right.
Speaker 1 (05:10):
Plus, they benefit when hiring people because they can quickly
and easily verify your resume, which I also didn't know.
Speaker 5 (05:20):
I had no idea.
Speaker 1 (05:22):
So let's say I get fired and I apply for
a job and then get I get hired at a
different radio station, and they could say oh, well, what's
your work history. Well I can make up all kinds
of flowery stuff, but if they go on the work number,
they could see.
Speaker 5 (05:38):
I had no idea that existed.
Speaker 4 (05:41):
How is that possible? Nineteen eighty five the database was created.
Speaker 1 (05:47):
Oh so that is before you got here, Diane, if
you're working.
Speaker 5 (05:58):
Oh.
Speaker 1 (05:58):
They also said the other way, the other way that
this can backfire on you. Let's say, for example, you
have a job, right, you have a regular, full time job,
and part of your requirements during that job is that
and there are companies that do this. You're not allowed
to have outside jobs. But some people will go, well,
it's the holidays, I need a little money, I'm going away,
(06:19):
like whatever, and they'll go out and they'll get a
part time job. Like I remember there was somebody who
worked here who I don't know if they were restricted,
but like they went and got a second job at
pottery barn so that they could help furnish they she
and her husband discounts, and she wanted the employee discount,
so she got a part time job. Anyway, your company
(06:41):
would be able to go in and look and see
you're working secondary jobs, and you know what they would
do fire you the work number, dude, I had no idea.
This is like all Big Brother stuff. I know, I
had no clue. I mean, it's not, but it's an
other way of tracking. But if somebody can get in there,
(07:03):
they can start seeing all of your stuff.
Speaker 4 (07:06):
You've made that clear, and I Heart Radio makes that
clear as well.
Speaker 2 (07:14):
Or was this something that we didn't acknowledge in the handbook.
Speaker 4 (07:17):
I can't speak for Odyssey, but I can tell you
that we use an automated service. In parentheses, is the
work number to provide employment verification information departs to parties
such as prospective employers or financial institutions, and that is
under the header employment verification in the Employee Handbook.
Speaker 1 (07:42):
If I would bet Odyssey does, I'll ask Brett. Maybe
he can pull it up in his maserati.
Speaker 4 (07:47):
You know what that writer is killing you to that? Wow,
I'd never heard of this, and I've read through this.
I thought, I haven't.
Speaker 3 (08:00):
You read through the entire Employee Guideline Handbook.
Speaker 4 (08:04):
More or so on this stuff. Because we've talked about
background checks prior to this conversation.
Speaker 5 (08:09):
Now ground check me all you want.
Speaker 4 (08:10):
We've talked about references and these are.
Speaker 5 (08:12):
Remember we also talked about whether or not they can
go through your desk.
Speaker 4 (08:16):
Oh, yes, but these are all The answer is yes,
with references and background checks. They're in the same or
on the same page as the explanation of the work number.
Speaker 1 (08:26):
Never heard of it, never heard of it. They say
you should freeze it. But then what happens if you
freeze it? And then I'll grab these calls? I got
a bunch of people on hold. What happens if you
freeze it? Let's say I freeze my the work number.
And by the way, it's not the easiest process to do,
but it's also not hard. Yeah, most of it seems
hard because you've never heard of it, except for apparently
(08:50):
everybody on hold. But they say you should go and
freeze it. But what happens if Alice is trying to
update my information or just upload my information and it's
from is there some.
Speaker 3 (09:02):
Kind of like hey, you contact you and say, hey,
you need to unfreeze this.
Speaker 5 (09:05):
Why are you trying to steal my identity?
Speaker 2 (09:07):
No, I'm trying to input some new information.
Speaker 5 (09:09):
I'll do it. What information?
Speaker 4 (09:11):
There's no way, Alice. I mean, if it would be
the work number of people would be Equifax.
Speaker 1 (09:15):
No, no, but somebody has to go to Equifax and
upload the information.
Speaker 4 (09:19):
But somebody who is trying to unfreeze it isn't going
to your local HR within your company.
Speaker 1 (09:24):
No, no, no, but like like but like it says
in here, HR will will routinely update everybody's information. So
if HR is updating my information but I have frozen
my work number, they can't update it. Nobody can touch it,
nobody can smell it, sniff it, eat it.
Speaker 4 (09:43):
Now the company, the radio company, my heart explains that
you have control over this and you can provide this
information via the work number for proof of employment or
for proof of income. You just need your social there's
an employer code. I'm not going to read that off.
(10:04):
And there's a phone number to call, and then they will.
Speaker 5 (10:07):
I'm about a complaint department.
Speaker 4 (10:09):
They will help if you're trying to buy home, rent
a apartment, Lisa caruse credit.
Speaker 1 (10:14):
Yes, well, yes, the three hundred people that they recently fired,
if that helped them get.
Speaker 4 (10:18):
Their house, No, I hurt via the work number, Oh okay.
And then you can also do a salary key. It
is a six digit number that allows one time access
to salary information for proof of income.
Speaker 1 (10:32):
Wait, so I can look up anybody in iHeart and
see what their salary is.
Speaker 2 (10:36):
Let's do it.
Speaker 4 (10:39):
It'd be pretty it'd be pretty easy, actually.
Speaker 1 (10:41):
And you could see anybody's salary. Yes, yes, let's do it.
Speaker 4 (10:46):
Well, no, I don't know if this should be done
live on air.
Speaker 5 (10:50):
I can't think of actually a better place to do it.
Speaker 4 (10:54):
I just don't think your pin should be your birth date.
Why is that the default? Oh? T wn?
Speaker 1 (11:08):
By the way, this is why it's easy to steal
your identity going through the work number.
Speaker 5 (11:13):
Yeah, I'm freezing mine And this was at not true.
Speaker 1 (11:16):
I've actually frozen mine.
Speaker 4 (11:20):
This was the link off workday?
Speaker 5 (11:22):
Was it really? Yeah?
Speaker 4 (11:23):
This information?
Speaker 1 (11:24):
Who do we want to know? Wait, it's only one time?
Do I only get to know one person?
Speaker 6 (11:28):
Oh?
Speaker 4 (11:28):
Cheers wisely? Uh is it a let's say the salary key?
It says, yes, it is. It is one time access.
Speaker 3 (11:37):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (11:38):
Oh, I can't believe how easy this is to hack.
Speaker 5 (11:48):
Yeah, well that's why they tell you to freeze it.
Speaker 4 (11:50):
That's what the thieves who broken neck or fact said.
Speaker 1 (11:52):
That's why that's why I froze mine before I even
ever brought this up.
Speaker 4 (11:57):
You hear so much though about the ways in which
your information is out there? How how does this not
come up?
Speaker 1 (12:06):
Because and by the way, the whole reason this exists
companies are lazy.
Speaker 5 (12:11):
That's the entire reason this exists.
Speaker 4 (12:13):
Or do they just not have the resources.
Speaker 1 (12:15):
Because I heard fired all of them. Yeah, but they
make it easier to find their house.
Speaker 5 (12:21):
Where am I going? Line eight?
Speaker 1 (12:22):
Hi?
Speaker 5 (12:23):
Elliott in the morning.
Speaker 7 (12:26):
Hey Elliott, this is Frank. I'm a head of talent
acquisition for a pretty big company in Bethesda.
Speaker 5 (12:30):
I'm sorry, you're the head of what acquisition? A head
of recruiting.
Speaker 7 (12:35):
It's call talent acquisition in some spaces.
Speaker 5 (12:37):
Are you Are you like a radio company? Are you
looking for talent?
Speaker 3 (12:41):
Hi?
Speaker 5 (12:42):
Let me give you my work number? Always always right? Wait,
so what do you got for me?
Speaker 7 (12:49):
So, the majority of the time this is used after
somebody accepts an offer and authorizes the employer to do
an employment verification, and the work number is one of
several vendors that collect this information, so they're not the
only vendor that collect this information. And companies can choose
as part as their background check package. So if you
(13:11):
use one company for your background check package, they may
use the work number. If you use a different company.
They may use a different company. So it's kind of
hard to trace and track all of these organizations because
there's multiple of them. Spe Typically, again, it's only verified
if if you've accepted an offer and signed off on
your information being verified.
Speaker 1 (13:32):
But can I ask you this, like, obviously you work
in talent recruitment if you do most people. For example,
I've worked for iHeart twenty five years here New York.
There's another nine I've worked for iHeart for a decent
amount of time.
Speaker 5 (13:50):
I didn't know we do this, do most people?
Speaker 1 (13:52):
And maybe this is more a like a thumbs down
on me, Like don't people just sign off on the book?
They have no idea or they'll go so, hey, we
want to verify your employment, which I think means, oh,
you're going to call another radio company and ask about
by working there. It doesn't mean they're going to go
into into my work number.
Speaker 7 (14:12):
Yeah. The majority of the time you're actually signing off
of this when you.
Speaker 5 (14:16):
Apply for the job.
Speaker 7 (14:17):
Oh right, So as part of your application process, when
you sign you agree to, if selected for employment, to
complete the background check and employment verification process if drug
tests are required, et cetera.
Speaker 4 (14:30):
Et cetera.
Speaker 7 (14:31):
Right, so it happens very early on, so you're not
even thinking about it.
Speaker 5 (14:36):
No, you know, because I want the job.
Speaker 7 (14:37):
To submit that online application, like you submit hundreds of
online applications some folks right now, right, so they're agreeing
to this for hundreds of companies at any particular time. Yeah,
So I am also somebody who freezes my credit and
freezes my work number.
Speaker 5 (14:54):
You freeze both. I do. Good for you. You're very smart.
Wish I were as smart as you. Hey, one last one,
last time.
Speaker 1 (15:04):
The if I were to say to you, right, I
will not sign off on you going to work number?
Does that would that prevent you from hiring me?
Speaker 7 (15:16):
It would not. There's actually alternate ways to verify the
employment that we can request, and that's through W two's
or pay stubs, right, so we would just ask for
alternate methods of prime and verification.
Speaker 1 (15:29):
Okay, all right, very good, very good. Oh I like that,
all right, very good, thank you. I'm gonna I'm gonna
opt out no the next time, like if I go
into like Lisa Carr, we're going to verify, Nope, I
opt out.
Speaker 4 (15:46):
Us W two previously apter that say again, you're saying
you're going to opt out via work number.
Speaker 1 (15:54):
Free I'm freezing and then I'm opting out. So if
I go to rent an apartment and they say, hey,
we you know, as part of this we verifying, like, well,
you better get on the phone because I opt out,
It's just like when they asked to take my picture
at TSA. Nope, I opt out. Why am I being
(16:15):
wrestled to the ground.
Speaker 4 (16:18):
Odyssey does use the work number?
Speaker 5 (16:21):
Oh thanks, Brett.
Speaker 4 (16:25):
You can check to see there's a database where you
can see which companies and businesses are using TWN.
Speaker 5 (16:32):
Can you ask can you check one other? One? Sure?
Speaker 4 (16:34):
Cumulus, I am not a robot. Hold on, I didn't
check that, dude.
Speaker 5 (16:40):
I had to do one of those yesterday.
Speaker 1 (16:42):
I thought i'd like a Yeah, I thought I checked
every bicycle in the pictures.
Speaker 5 (16:47):
I guess I didn't because I got frozen out of that.
Speaker 4 (16:49):
I likes the you know what.
Speaker 5 (16:52):
I think that maybe what it was.
Speaker 4 (16:55):
Cumulus does use the work number.
Speaker 5 (16:57):
Oh my god, why didn't I invent work number? Jesus Christ.
Speaker 4 (17:02):
Oh it's another regrette.
Speaker 1 (17:03):
Somebody somebody's a billionaire and they have all of my information.
Speaker 4 (17:07):
So many people are like, how is this even legal.
What do you mean You're questioning the legality of this
information being collected and often not being explained to or even.
Speaker 5 (17:20):
But they'll tell you it is being explained.
Speaker 4 (17:21):
Because it's in the handbook.
Speaker 1 (17:23):
Yes, but they know, they know, damn well, nobody reads
the handbook.
Speaker 4 (17:27):
I cannot believe how easy it is. And listen, you'll
hear from people who explored the dark web and are very.
Speaker 5 (17:34):
Oh, I'm going to post all this simple on the
dark web and.
Speaker 4 (17:36):
Very knowledgeable about hacking that it's simple, easy. But the
way you could access wage history with this the company
just gives it to a normal person is pretty simple.
Speaker 1 (17:52):
Yeah, and I'm doing it so as we get off today, Hello,
work number?
Speaker 5 (17:57):
Where am I going mine too?
Speaker 7 (17:59):
Hi?
Speaker 5 (17:59):
Elliot, Hey, this is Nicky and Richmond. Yes, Nicki and Richmond.
What can I do for you?
Speaker 4 (18:07):
So?
Speaker 8 (18:07):
I've worked in the mortgage industry for almost eighteen years
and we use the work number of banks do to
verify employment or wages. It's kind of like a system
of texts and balances that matches over the W two's
or whatever income we tell the bank that you make.
Because a lot of HR companies don't want to be
answering phone calls to mortgage lenders and underwriters. So we
(18:29):
use the work number to verify employment and a lot
of times we need your independent salary key code that's
generated as a one time use, like you said, from
your employer. So it's not something you can just pull
up for just anybody at any time. Generally you have
to have a code.
Speaker 1 (18:45):
I have a code, the the iHeart code. Yeah, no,
they put our code in the handbook.
Speaker 8 (18:54):
No, well that's different than what we have to go through.
Speaker 5 (18:56):
Then maybe it's different for banks.
Speaker 8 (18:58):
But yeah, we use it all the time to last
like almost twenty years.
Speaker 1 (19:01):
What are the odds that the biggest, the person who
is ripping us off the most is actually Pittman.
Speaker 5 (19:09):
He has access to all of it. He's hacking everybody.
Speaker 1 (19:14):
But what doesn't it seem like you said that the
employer has to give you the code.
Speaker 5 (19:20):
They gave us the code.
Speaker 8 (19:21):
Yeah, a lot of times you want to go, you
have to obtain it.
Speaker 5 (19:26):
Yeah, we worked for the stupidest company ever.
Speaker 1 (19:31):
Is Can I ask you this like the other guy
who called and said that there are several companies like
this is the work number?
Speaker 5 (19:37):
Just the biggest? Are they the Kleenex of this.
Speaker 4 (19:41):
Yes, what are the other ones?
Speaker 8 (19:47):
I've never used any other one in eighteen years?
Speaker 5 (19:50):
Have you used anything but a cleanex?
Speaker 3 (19:51):
No?
Speaker 1 (19:53):
Yeah, I have no idea. I have no clue would
they use it? Thank you, ma'am, you've been very helpful.
Speaker 4 (19:58):
Rapid Verify true of you, true work argyle. They all
claim to be they all suck alternatives.
Speaker 5 (20:03):
I am the work number. I am the work number. Hi,
Elliott the morning. Hello, Hi, who's this.
Speaker 7 (20:14):
Now?
Speaker 1 (20:14):
I know why?
Speaker 7 (20:15):
Everybody says? Is this me?
Speaker 5 (20:16):
Yeah? I know, I understand anyway, Yes, what can I
do for you? Sir?
Speaker 6 (20:21):
I just locked my solid security number yesterday. It's a
government site called dash verify dot gov.
Speaker 5 (20:28):
Right, yeah, I'm not a government worker though.
Speaker 7 (20:32):
No, it's for everybody.
Speaker 5 (20:34):
Oh, tone the.
Speaker 4 (20:38):
Why did you have to lock it?
Speaker 5 (20:39):
That's what I was just gonna ask why.
Speaker 6 (20:43):
I got a note from credit Wise that my information
was on the dark with Oh.
Speaker 5 (20:50):
Dude, your info has been on the dark web for
ten years.
Speaker 6 (20:55):
Absolutely, it's been on the web for dark ten years.
I just found out about this after I certain research
and stuff.
Speaker 1 (21:00):
Oh, I got you here. What's your social Security number?
I'll look it up right now? Hey, what is the
So you did that? Are you going to freeze your
work number?
Speaker 6 (21:11):
I think the work number systems talk to this, because
when I read through it, it says if anybody tries
to validate, they'll get an error that you don't work there.
I don't know how it all interrupted, it all works together,
but becus to the government, I think they have to
verify your social sciority numbers is legit.
Speaker 5 (21:31):
I think I can understand that. But that's not that's
not I don't understand it now.
Speaker 4 (21:41):
But misery loves company. If I had a penny for
every time I got the alert that my information was
found in the dark web or that there was a
new sex offender in my area, my income via the
work number would not be accurate because I have supplemental
from all those pennies.
Speaker 5 (21:59):
All right, are you good? Thank you, sir, thank you?
So were we not? Are we not freezing our work numbers?
Speaker 4 (22:04):
I think we should consider.
Speaker 5 (22:05):
I think I'm gonna do it. Yeah, I think I'm
gonna do two things. When we get off today.
Speaker 1 (22:09):
I'm definitely freezing mine and I am looking up some
employee salaries.
Speaker 4 (22:15):
That's crazy, it's crazy, but it also will be a
segment that ages poorly when we get fired. AH. This
preceded an unfortunate event. We now need to unfreeze our
work numbers. What's that Alice doesn't talk to former employees, ah,
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