Who is calling my references?

Hello. I began applying for jobs a week before I had my baby. My baby is a month old now and yesterday I had my first interview with a local hospital. This morning I had a phone interview with an insurance company. Within the last 20 minutes, my phone has been off the hook. Many of my old co-workers and nurse friends were texting and calling, "Some background checking company called me about you today." They were aware I used them as references, because of course I asked their permission before doing this. So they were all like, "So which job is this?" I have no idea! I applied to several jobs who asked for references on their application. The job has obviously used an outside company to call these references. I have never had this experience before. I have only known the company to call references, not a "background check" company. Is anyone else familiar with this?
I'd call and ask them who checks references and if they share your personal info.... not cool if they do

It is becoming quite common these days. Personally, I don't see the advantage unless they are only going through the motions. A person who represents the company would be more in tune to nuances than a "telemarketer" type person who is only making 'robot type' calls with no deep investment in the results. But it makes no difference to the applicant unless they are rejected because of references.

Quote from xtxrnI'd call and ask them who checks references and if they share your personal info.... not cool if they do

Quote from Mrs. SnowStormRNI do not even know who to call. I feel like I have filled out so many applications, anyone could have used this "background check" company.

Quote from caliotter3It is becoming quite common these days. Personally, I don't see the advantage unless they are only going through the motions. A person who represents the company would be more in tune to nuances than a "telemarketer" type person who is only making 'robot type' calls with no deep investment in the results. But it makes no difference to the applicant unless they are rejected because of references.

Quote from Mrs. SnowStormRNOkay, I feel so behind in the times. It still seems odd that a company would pay another company to do this. Thank you for this information, I did not know that this was a common practice.

Yep, pretty sure it's the larger insurer. I was notified that this was outsourced. That, is not good for the interviewee, because everybody must be timely in their responses. And, we know that some smaller prior employers may not be. Every time you fill out an online application, you will not know if they decide to check you out before or after you interview. Some places now check you out before you interview!!! YES, it's true. And that really sucks because you cannot notify people each and every time you apply somewhere, and it must be terribly irritating for a former manager to receive so many calls surrounding even just one prior employee. I've tried to save my employers and references this burden by having letters to hand out at an interview. But, regardless, that outside agency will be hired to do the work, and they just never met you so they don't even care. This, is a big sign that you must list ALL employment. Outside agencies will have the resources to find out if you have misrepresented yourself in any way. And, if a previous employer fails to respond in a timely manner, I don't know what they do.

I do not like all this outsourcing of personal information. I called American Express and the guy in India had all my info including soc. sec. #. I cancelled my account!

Quote from gettingbsn2msnI do not like all this outsourcing of personal information. I called American Express and the guy in India had all my info including soc. sec. #. I cancelled my account!

Quote from onacleardayYep, pretty sure it's the larger insurer. I was notified that this was outsourced. That, is not good for the interviewee, because everybody must be timely in their responses. And, we know that some smaller prior employers may not be. Every time you fill out an online application, you will not know if they decide to check you out before or after you interview. Some places now check you out before you interview!!! YES, it's true. And that really sucks because you cannot notify people each and every time you apply somewhere, and it must be terribly irritating for a former manager to receive so many calls surrounding even just one prior employee. I've tried to save my employers and references this burden by having letters to hand out at an interview. But, regardless, that outside agency will be hired to do the work, and they just never met you so they don't even care. This, is a big sign that you must list ALL employment. Outside agencies will have the resources to find out if you have misrepresented yourself in any way. And, if a previous employer fails to respond in a timely manner, I don't know what they do.

I got a call from my bank one day, asking if I'd authorized charges for 2 tickets to Abu Dhabi.... I had blocked international charges on my debit card, so they caught it... but I had to go through the identity theft crap. I have no idea how my info was obtained, unless it was a random card screening, and my numbers clicked as valid. My card was never charged (thanks to the bank). Never found out who it was....these crooks are clever. There's a PayPal fake that sends e-mails to update accounts- those are always fake per the real PayPal, who never solicits information.

Quote from xtxrnI got a call from my bank one day, asking if I'd authorized charges for 2 tickets to Abu Dhabi.... I had blocked international charges on my debit card, so they caught it... but I had to go through the identity theft crap. I have no idea how my info was obtained, unless it was a random card screening, and my numbers clicked as valid. My card was never charged (thanks to the bank). Never found out who it was....these crooks are clever. There's a PayPal fake that sends e-mails to update accounts- those are always fake per the real PayPal, who never solicits information.