Monster.com, the nation's largest online job site, has more than 50 million resumes in its database and gets 50,000 new ones every day. Privacy experts say that makes it a magnet for identity thieves and con artists.

"The likelihood of a job site being victimized by fraudsters is almost 100 percent, because it is just too compelling," said Pam Dixon, founder of the advocacy group World Privacy Forum. "There is just so much information that a job site has access to that a fraudster would be interested in."

Job hunters need to stay a step ahead as well:

• Beware of employers who ask for background checks before offering you a job.
  
• Verify an employer's legitimacy. Call or visit its place of business.
  
• Limit the personal information on your online resume.