DEAR JOYCE: I am infuriated by a blog report of a crummy trick played by one job seeker on the rest of us (browse "It's Crazy, But It Got Him the Job"). A man the blog called Sean coveted a job so badly that he chose to check out the competition before applying for it. He especially wanted to know what he should state as a desired salary.

Sean's strategy: He posted an online "job opening," pretending to be another employer seeking to hire someone for a comparable job. His posting directed applicants to send a resume, cover letter and salary requirement.

After reviewing applicants' data, Sean fashioned his own application and got the job. Is this despicable or what? -- C.C.

Sean's act is just as despicable as when an employer or recruiter posts a bogus job to see "what's out there," what the hire will cost, or to pile up resumes in a marketing database.

Fake ads steal valuable search time and trust from people who need jobs. This is especially rotten when it's easy to find similar information ethically (by browsing for "salary research websites," for example). Unfortunately, many comments from readers responding to the blog praise Sean for his "creativity" rather than condemning his thievery.

Defensive actions: Think twice before sending employment applications and salary history to non-company e-mail addresses. It's axiomatic in today's identity-theft world to know whom you're dealing with. You may be able to learn who owns the Web site given in an online address by checking whois.net.

DEAR JOYCE: Although I'm not sure I'll actually change jobs this year, I haven't seen anything about what's most important to me after pay and job security -- benefits. What's the current picture of benefits to reasonably expect? -- T.H.

Employers are scaling back or holding steady on benefit offerings, according to the SHRM 2009 Employee Benefits Survey. The Society for Human Resource Management is the voice of the HR profession. A few highlights:

-- Compared to 2008, fewer organizations this year are providing housing and relocation benefits.

-- Mental health coverage was the only health care benefit to be offered by more organizations in 2009 than 2008 (80 percent compared with 75 percent, respectively).

-- Declining benefits this year include executive retention bonuses, elder care referral services, life insurance for dependents, retiree health care coverage and supplemental accident insurance. Continued...