Your Boss Doesn't Need a Detective. They Just Need $50.
I saw the panic on Blind yesterday. A Senior Engineer at a FAANG company was fired from his "Job 1" because they found out about "Job 2." He didn't post on LinkedIn. He didn't tell his coworkers. He used a separate laptop. So how did they know?
They bought his Payroll Report. In 2025, your salary history is not private. It is a product sold by Equifax via a database called "The Work Number" (TWN). Most payroll providers (ADP, Gusto, Workday) automatically sync your paycheck data to TWN every two weeks.
If you are "Overemployed" (working two remote jobs) or just looking for a new job while employed, this database is your enemy. Here is how the surveillance state works and how to opt out before your next background check.
1. The "Payroll Spy" Mechanism
You think your payroll data stays between you and HR. Wrong. When you sign your offer letter, you usually agree to a "Data Sharing" clause. Your company sends your data to Equifax to help you "qualify for loans easier."
- What they see: Paycheck dates, Gross Income, Job Titles, Employment Status (Active/Terminated).
The Trap: When you apply for Job B, they run a background check. The background check provider (like Hireright or Sterling) queries TWN. They see:
- Employer A: Active (Jan 2020 - Present)
- Employer B: Active (March 2024 - Present)
Busted. You are flagged for "Dual Employment." Job B rescinds the offer. Job A fires you for "Time Theft."
2. The "LexisNexis" Backdoor
"But I froze The Work Number!" Good. You did step 1. But did you freeze LexisNexis? LexisNexis is the "other" giant database. They aggregate public records, utility bills, and... employment data. If you freeze Equifax but leave LexisNexis open, the background check just routes around the block.
And don't forget Truework. In 2025, there are three major databases you need to lock down. If you leave one window open, they will see inside the house.
3. The "Mortgage" Catch-22
Here is the painful part. You freeze your reports to hide your second job. Then, you try to buy a house. The mortgage lender says: "We can't verify your income. Please unfreeze The Work Number." You unfreeze it for the lender. Boom. If your employer runs a "Continuous Monitoring" scan during that 48-hour window (which many banks and tech firms do quarterly), you are exposed. You have to coordinate your "Unfreeze" window with military precision.
The Checklist: How to Go "Dark"
If you value your privacy (or your second income), you must do this today.
- Freeze The Work Number:
- Go to
employees.theworknumber.com. - Create an account.
- Select "Freeze My Data."
- Note: This does not stop the data from being collected. It just stops it from being sold to third parties.
- Go to
- Freeze LexisNexis:
- Google "LexisNexis Consumer Disclosure Freeze."
- Fill out the PDF. Mail it in. (Yes, they make it hard on purpose).
- Audit Your "Credit Report":
- Sometimes employment data leaks onto your Experian/TransUnion report under "Employer Info." Dispute it immediately if it shows your "Secret Job."
Frequently Asked Questions (That HR Won't Answer)
Can they fire me for freezing my data?
No. Legally, you have the right to freeze your consumer reports under the FCRA (Fair Credit Reporting Act). If they ask why, say: "I had an identity theft scare last year and froze everything for security." They cannot force you to unfreeze it for a standard check. They will just ask you to provide W-2s or Paystubs manually (which you can redact).
Does this apply to Contractors (1099)?
Usually No. The Work Number tracks W-2 payroll. If you are B2B (Contractor), your income is often invisible to TWN unless you self-reported it. This is why "Contract to Hire" is safer for Overemployment than "Full Time."
What if the report is wrong?
Sue them. If TWN says you were "Fired" when you were "Laid Off," that is defamation and an FCRA violation. You can sue for damages. Many employment lawyers take these cases on contingency because Equifax usually settles quickly.
Leon Staffing values privacy. We verify skills, not surveillance data. Apply to jobs that respect your rights here.