Temporary Workers Can Cause Permanent Problems

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by Mary Beth Guard

Over the last few years, many financial institutions have cut their staffs to the bone, supplementing the work force, when necessary, with temporary workers. Temps are typically utilized for a variety of tasks that do not require intensive training, such as data entry. A recent incident reported in Georgia illustrates the importance of subjecting temporary workers to adequate scrutiny before turning them loose with customer data.

In a recent identity fraud case, a Georgia police detective discovered that the identity thief had been employed by several local Temp agencies. He was sent to work, on a temporary basis, at a mortgage company entering customer credit report information into a computer. While there, he apparently stole over thirty-five credit reports and later used them to commit identity fraud.

This wasn't the temp worker's first walk on the wild side. He had previous arrests for forgery and deceptive business practices. Because a nationwide background check was not performed by either the mortgage company or the temp agency, neither knew a crook was in their midst.

Your information security program should take this type of risk into consideration and should include adequate safeguards for risks posed by both permanent and temporary employees.

If you're using temporary workers, find out now whether the agency performs a nationwide background check on them. If not, either restrict their duties and access to non-sensitive data, or get your own background check on them. Call previous employers. Make use of the PATRIOT Act's provision which allows you to share information on employees under certain circumstances. Check to see what your state law allows you to share about former employees when you receive a call on a temp who formerly worked for you.

Protect your customers from misdeeds by taking appropriate action to guard against felonious temps. As the policeman said, "If you don't ask for a criminal history on a temp, you won't get one".

First published on BankersOnline.com 7/19/02.