I am looking for some help with obtaining a method to verify Social Security numbers to a Customer name prior to opening accounts. Can anyone recommend a good computer program or suggest any good internet sources?

I recently started using Coast to Coast and have been satisfied with the service. The only downside is an inability to verify minors. Another service that I looked at which can also do the job is Lexis Nexis.

A SSN validator has been posted in the AML/Patriot Act Tools sections.
http://www.bankersonline.com/aml/aml_tools.html

http://www.ssa.gov/foia/highgroup.htm

There is also the High number list on the Social Security Number Website. It is supposed to show the highest numbers that have been issued in each group. Print this out as it's updated and provide to your new accounts personnel for verification. If customer's number not on list, the SSA office has a phone number that the customer can call in your presence to verify the validity of this number. Their instructions to me were:
"The number holder would need to phone 1-800-772-1213 to verify their social security number. Identifying questions will be asked to verify the number and person. If a mistake appears the number holder will be told to go to the closest social security office. If all information is correct and the person needs proof of this the local office can print out the information to prove the number belongs to that person."

Thank you for your responses to my question.

I'm not putting details here, but according to the spreadsheet and the data at the SSA web site I am the proud owner of an invalid SSN that I have been using for the last 30 some odd years! And, my wife's SSN is invalid, too!

Try the site "searchbug.com" You can verify if the number is valid, as well as the state and approximate year issued.

The same thing happened to one of our employees and her husband! I suggested that she and her husband hasten to the nearest SSA office and make sure everything was all right. Have no idea what the possible problems associated with that could be .

Steve:

This post just came to our attention. I'm sorry you had trouble with our SSN Validator. I just checked the current downloads and it seemed to be working fine. Perhaps you should download the SSN Validator again. The original download was somehow corrupted in the zip process. If you still have trouble with it, please let me know and I'll send you one directly, along with the User's Guide.

Again, I'm sorry you had trouble.

Kindest Regards,
Rob Robinson
CAMELS' Eye® Limited
Community Banking Specialists
http://www.camelseye.com

Actually I'm pretty sure that the 'issue' here is not the software or the web site. The SSA web site also shows it is an invalid SSN because the 'middle digits' are higher than the 'last issued series'. It is probably a function of the number being issued before 1973. It's nice to know that, though if I should ever get challenged on having an 'invalid' TIN. Thanks for checking!

I don't know if they still offer it or not, but the Trans Union credit bureau used to have a ss# search that was tied into credit reporting data bases....it was very helpful in catching fraudulent numbers.

Has anyone seen the NY Times today - there is a big article entitled "Sept. 11 Hijackers Said to Fake Data on Bank Accounts" - specifically faking social security numbers.

Just had to jump in here. I bet most of you received the following spam. As if it is not hard enough climbing up the backside of the mountain, someone keeps piling on more boulders to climb over.

INTERNATIONAL DRIVER'S LICENSE
Need a new driver's license?
Too many points or other trouble?
Want a license that can never be suspended or revoked?
Want an ID for nightclubs or hotel check-in?
Avoid tickets, fines, and mandatory driver's education.
Protect your privacy, and hide your identity.
The United Nations gave you the privilege to drive freely throughout the world! (Convention on International Road Traffic of September 19, 1949 & World Court Decision, The Hague, Netherlands, January 21, 1958) Take advantage of your rights. Order a valid International Driver's License that can never be suspended or revoked. Confidentiality assured. CALL NOW!!! XXX-XXX-XXXX We await your call seven days a week, 24 hours a day, including Sundays and holidays.

Sorry this is so long, but it just kept getting better and better. One those things that makes you say "Hmmmmmmmmmmmm"

This subject has been discussed on a number of "classic scam" sites.

Here is the link to the article. The site requires registration but is free.

http://www.nytimes.com/2002/07/10/national/10TERR.html

Can you say "Sisyphus"? That's the nom de guerre for Compliance Officers!

Post deleted by zaibatsu

Post deleted by John Burnett

Post deleted by zaibatsu

In reply to:

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Oh, by the way, nom de guerre means an assumed name.

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No bull?

The article is also front-page at cnn.com. And what is the solution?

wELL YOU MAY HAVE JUST BEEN CAUGHT. sURPRISE-SURPRISE

There are millions of situations where someone has been paying social security and taxes under one number, only to find out that SSA thinks it is not valid.

Sometimes, the employee gets a letter indicating that the number does not match SSA's records. Presumably, there is a process for determining the correct number and linking previous retirement account deposits to the correct (new) number.

I have no information to demonstrate that this actually works. This is compounded by SSA's extreme lack of candor. The process is about as transparent as trying to correct DMV records.

Your local Congressman may have resources that cut through the bureaucracy.

I logged into my LexisNexis account. I can research legal documents and news services. Where do I go to check SSNs?

The best new free SSN Validator on the Internet has been posted at www.SSNvalidator.com It returns real time results and includes date of issuance and a death records check!