Just got let go... among the reasons was my present employer said I lied because I said I used to make X @ the previous company but he called them and after I had worked with him for 10 months found out that I had really made Y @ the old place.

The old employer told him EXACTLY down to the dollar how much I used to make. Is this legal?

yes it is absolutely legal. You lied, Your boss found out. He fired you. Not only legal but very common. Why would you want to keep an employee on board who lied to you from the start?

And even if you didn't, it wouldn't have been an illegal termination, as discharge for this reason is not prohibited by an law.

thanks i guess... but i wasn't asking if the termination was legal... i'm talking about my previous companies right to give out my salary information to any random person that calls. I need to find the place but it seems like ive read that they need my consent to share exact amounts.

besides ellemd... who when asked 'so what would you want to make' in a job interview would say... welll i've made exactly X @ a previous place... nobody does that... it crushes any power of negotiation. but as mentioned... thats not the point. the question is about the old company sharing private info.

There is no law preventing your previous employer from sharing your salary with them with your current employer or vice versa and you're not going to find one.

Is this legal?

Legal. You probably authorized it when you completed the employment application.

On ours:

AGREEMENT ON BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION
In connection with my application for employment and as a condition of continuing employment, I understand that investigative background inquiries may be made on me including previous employers, schools, consumer credit, criminal convictions, motor vehicle, and other reports. These reports will include information as to my character, work habits, performance, education, compensation, and experience along with reasons for termination of employment from previous employers. Furthermore, I understand that the company may be requesting information from various federal, state, and other agencies which maintain records concerning my past activities relating to my driving, credit, criminal, civil, and other experiences as well as claims involving me in the files of insurance companies. I authorize without reservation, any party or agency contacted to furnish the above mentioned information and release all parties involved from liability and responsibility for doing so. emphasis added.

Actually, it would be legal even if you hadn't authorized it. That's because, as I stated earlier, there is no law prohibiting them from answering the question.

Yep, I should have pointed out legal PLUS the OP likely consented to disclosure. Heck, some companies ask for copies of W-2s. You show your most recent one, you might get the job. You don't, you won't.

but it seems like ive read that they need my consent to share exact amounts.


Don't believe everything you read. They can give it out to the exact PENNY if they choose to. They may provide, in fact, any information whatsoever that they care to as long as it is true or represents their honest opinion.

besides ellemd... who when asked 'so what would you want to make' in a job interview would say... welll i've made exactly X @ a previous place... nobody does that... it crushes any power of negotiation. but as mentioned... thats not the point. the question is about the old company sharing private info.

Telling a potential employer what you desire to make in a new position does not require lying about what was made in the previous one. As someone who spent several years as a recruiter, I can tell you that most are truthful about past salaries as I always verified them. Most employers do verify this info so lying is not going to help you.