Someone at work impersonated a HR representative and asked me about arrest record. Did he break the law?

Question

I was sent a request by a coworker impersonating a compliance officer at my company that asked me to provide a written statement of any prior arrests to fulfill a required insurance requirement. I provided as little information as possible while complying with request. I found out later it was an employee who had no business with my HR information. Rumors abound now in my office.

Did he break the law by lying and saying he was a HR rep? Doesn't that constitute fraud?

Answer 1

He broke the law, but you did when you were arrested. Don't do it again.

Answer 2

no criminal laws broken but probably multiple policy violations. speak with your supervisor or HR and file a complaint. since the information was provided by you (albeit under false pretense) and it is public record there are probably no civil issues as well.

Answer 3

He may not have broken a law, but I would guess he probably broke company policy and procedure. If you know who did it, I would report him to your supervisor. If you don't know who did it, you'll have to chock it up to experience and learn from it.

Answer 4

It's not fraud but it's not right.  I would head to HR and report it.

Answer 5

What crime do you want to charge him with, impersonating HR?  No, I am afraid that is not a crime, and it was foolish of you to give any such info AFTER you were hired.

Answer 6

Because you volunteered information any post 9/11 paranoid would consider relevant if not pivitol, this person will need a very limited response to defend this tactic. Even if it was a defacto policy violation, the company will probably take a Machiavelian view of it.

When you find yourself in a hole, stop digging. Good Luck.  

Answer 7

Obviously you know who sent you the message, I would tell him to self report or you will turn them in.  Give him/ her until the end of the day and that you expect a letter of apology immediately.  If they do not comply then report the person.  I do believe the labor board oversees personnel file issues and the confidentiality that goes along with them.  Protecting employees from a hostile work environment is also a company responsibility. There are non-disclosure rules depending on your company,  most companies do not want Personal Information to be leaked about any employees.  Personal Information can be anything that can identify you specifically usually two items are needed.  ex: Your name and birth date, Your name and the arrest information.  The first could allow identity theft the latter could cause co-workers to not trust you. Most companies have rules regarding malicious rumors and will terminate anyone who perpetuates them. With all the thefts of personal information I would think your company will want to investigate this situation sooner rather than later.  Good luck!