I have actually stopped giving out my references because I'm tired of having potential employers bothing the people I've worked for. Seriously, in 2017, is there still no better way of verifying who a person is other than allowing employers to consume the time and/or annoy the people you've worked for over and over and over? There has got to be a better way! I turned down a freelance web development job worth about $2,500 just yesterday because the guy asked me to have two written references sent to him (for a one-time small job like this?!)

I really think someone needs to come up with some sort of online verification or reference system that employers, landlords, etc. can go to for this information rather than having them directly contact your reference. Hmm, maybe I will develop it :)