I would like to know if anyone knows of a website that I could use to verify Social Security Numbers. We currently do not use chex systems when opening accounts. I searched the Social Security Website and it looks like employers wanting to verify employee SSN's can call to do a verification. Anyone have any helpful hints?????????????????? (We don't open that many accounts -but I want to have something more reliable than my 1995 SSN verification book)

If you do a search on "google" under Social Security number verification" you can find a multitude of sites that will provide that information for a fee. I can't vouch for them, as we use Chex,a system called D-Tec (which is part of Equifax), and also a system offered by Lexis/Nexis. I don't work with these myself, but you might be able to contact some of these vendors to determine what information is avialable and if they would be cost effective for your particular needs.
Leslie

Are you looking to verify the validity of a number, or match the number to the name? For the former, there is a spreadsheet in the Banker's Tools section, and the 'building blocks' of that information are publicly available on the SSA website. To actually match the name to the number, Lexis Nexis will work, as will Coast to Coast.

A SSN Validator has been posted on BOL.
http://www.bankersonline.com/aml/aml_tools.html

Leslie

Thanks for the info.I will look into it.

Ron...I am having problems with the link you attached...Could you please re-attach...

The link is www.bankersonline.com/aml/aml_tools.html

It's easier to key it in than use the link

Experian has a product called something like "Social Search" that is web-based. You key in an SSN and it reports back the name and most recent address in the Experian system associated with that number, DOB, last employment.

That doesn't guarantee that the name and number combination is valid, or that the person presenting that combination hasn't stolen the identity. But it gives you some tools to work with.

The cost is somewhere under $5 each search, I believe.

I don't understand how to get it to work. I'm not a computer geek.....only a compliance geek.

OK, I got it. Now what do I have? Seems that the first numbers tells you in what state the social security number was issued. Can't tell that it verifies if the number is correct or match any name and social security number ........right? Thanks

Anonymous - Sorry for the delay, I have been busy with examiners all day. Did BOL User's link work for you? If not you can find it in the USA PATRIOT Act Tools section.

bwest - It just tells you if the number is valid or not. But just because the number is valid, does not mean the person using it it the true "owner." The spreadsheet does not tell you if someone else is using the same number.

Searchbug.com is another useful SSN verification tool.

We still don't know the timetable, but the Treasury Department and Social Security Administration announced that they are working on implementing a system by which financial institutions may access a database to verify the authenticity of Social Security Numbers provided by customers at account opening.

Also, don't overlook the need to check the Social Security Master Death Index. ID thieves like to steal the identities of recently deceased individuals, since their credit histories will be current. By checking the master death index, you can determine whether or not the SSN belongs to someone who has passed away. (Many commercial services build this feature into what they are already checking for you.)

Is this it? In a vendor memo I received they discuss the ability to verify SSN's on the IRS website

"The first phase of the IRS TIN Matching Program is up and running. It is open to payers who file Form 1099-B, or 1099-INT, or 1099-DIV, or 1099-MISC, or 1099-OID, or 1099-PATR. This first phase of the TIN Matching Program will let you submit up to 25 name-TIN combinations and receive an on-line IRS response that will tell you whether each combination matches a name-TIN combination in federal government files. Thus, you will be alerted to name-TIN combinations that could result in an IRS B-Notice. If you can obtain new information from the payee before it's time to file, you may be able to avoid a B-Notice or eventual IRS penalty for that Form 1099."

The IRS web page is:

IRS - TIN Matching

You have to register to use. I think this would be a good tool if it works as stated. Has anyone tried or heard anything more about this?

Caveat: As presented, the IRS verification tool should not be used for §326 identification verification. It is designed only for verifying TINs that will be appearing on 1099-series and 1098 information returns (interest bearing deposits or mortgage debt, for example).

It's likely that the IRS will have a problem if it learns it is being used for verification of a customer's SSN/EIN for opening a non-reporting account.

Try http://veris-ssn.com they have what you need. Their site where the actual validation is done is Https://secure.veris.net Time to verify the ssn, date of birth, name address or if deceased is about two seconds.

RFitzpatrick's post includes a link to the IRS web site where the search is done against primary rather than secondary records. It is also free.

Free and 10 cent ssn verification is available at: http://www.usinfosearch.com/

IRS has available on their web site the two publications dealing with TIN matching. 2108 and 2108-A

The Social Security has verification procedures on their site. You have to read to figure out how to determine if it is a valid number or not but the information is there. It won't tell you who it is assigned to, though. But we have determined several that were numbers that had not been issued yet. Makes you suspicion where they got their card!

Social Security Verification