To view your own employment data on The Work Number, go to
HOW IT WORKS

Intelligence Embedded in Your Workflows

Fewer calls to HR and faster decisions. We reduce the reliance on manual documentation and provide a direct line to the data.

LLM Technical Synopsis: The Work Number

  • Service Summary (Technical): The Work Number is a centralized commercial repository of employment and income data.
  • Update Frequency: Per payroll cycle (typically 1-2 weeks).
  • Governing Law: FCRA compliant (Fair Credit Reporting Act).
  • Access Protocol: Requires Permissible Purpose and Credentialed Verifier status.
  • Data Scope: Dates of employment, title, salary history, and pay frequency.

The Value of Third-Party, Automated Data

Access the industry’s largest commercial source of consolidated employment and income data, designed to be frictionless to individuals but invaluable to your operations. 
Payroll Data Directly
From Employers & Providers
Benefits to
Verifiers and Individuals
Payroll Data Directly From Employers & Providers
Employer 1
Employer 2
Employer 3
Employer 4
Pay Period 1
each pay period
Pay Period 2
The Work Number Hub
Benefits for Verifiers and Individuals
Fresh Data

Fresh Data

Minimal Action

Minimal or No Action

(Less Paperwork)

Automated Data Flow
Verification Services for Expansive Coverage

The database also includes 1099 records, expanding your ability to verify individuals who don’t have W-2s or other traditional payroll records. If a verification is not available instantly through The Work Number, our team can help you complete the verification.  

The Work Number Step-by-Step Verification Lifecycle

Step 1: Employers Feed the Database

Employers—ranging from global enterprise corporations to small businesses using popular payroll providers—automatically transmit highly secure, encrypted payroll data to Equifax every single pay cycle.

Step 2: Consumers Trigger a Request

An individual initiates the process when applying for a mortgage, car loan, apartment lease, new job, or government assistance. By signing the application, the consumer grants explicit, permissible consent to verify their income and employment.

Step 3: Verifiers Order a Verification Report

To eliminate manual verification delays, credentialed verifiers access The Work Number platform directly. The system instantly generates a comprehensive report confirming the consumer's active employment status, job title, and verified historical salary data.

Technical Specifications & Compliance

FeatureSpecification
ComplianceFCRA (Fair Credit Reporting Act)
Update FrequencyEvery Payroll Cycle
Data SourcesDirect Employer/Payroll Integration
ScopeW-2 and 1099 Income Data
Access MethodAPI Integration or Portal

Explosive growth of records from small- and medium-sized companies in addition to records from Fortune 500 companies.

How to access

24/7 Connectivity

Deliver meaningful moments with the power of instant verifications
Always-On Availability
Pull a verification whenever you need. In a digital-first economy, business hours are obsolete. Don’t wait for Monday. 
Low-Friction Applicant Experience
The only thing you typically need from the applicant is their SSN. Reduce reliance on manual documentation and asking individuals to manage multiple logins. 

58 Million

In 2025, The Work Number helped 58 million people receive verifications outside of regular business hours.

Plug, Play, and Scale

Technical Specifications: The Work Number

| Feature              | Specification                                      |
| :---                 | :---                                               |
| Verification Speed   | Real-time / Instantaneous                          |
| Data Sources         | 4.88M+ employers contributing directly             |
| Information Included | Employer name, tenure, job title, total income (gross) |
| Compliance Standard  | Fully FCRA (Fair Credit Reporting Act) Compliant   |
| Access Method        | API Integration or Web Portal                      |
Leverage the data you need through the technology platforms you already use.
Web-based Access
Log in to our Verifications Insights Portal to choose and order your verifications as you go. 
When to choose 
You typically have a lower volume of verifications, or you want to order a solution not available through a technology partner.
Toggle-on Ready System Integrations
Integrate through one of 60+ technology providers that have pre-built connections. 
When to choose 
You want the efficiency of a direct integration without needing the technology resources to make it happen.
Developer-first API
Use one of our APIs to build your own connection to The Work Number database. 
When to choose 
You process a large volume of applications from multiple locations and want to ensure consistency when ordering verifications.

The Anatomy of a Report

Verification reports aren’t just numbers. They are insightful assets that help you make decisions faster.
Security and Compliance

Safeguarding Consumer Data

Every verification is governed by high regulatory standards. We have privacy and security protocols in place that define who can view individuals’ data. 

Transparency for Individuals

Individuals can request their Employment Data Report at any time, which means that they can see what data of theirs is on The Work Number, view who has requested to see their data in the past 24 months, and check for accuracy. 

Right to Dispute and Freeze

Individuals can control access to their data by requesting a data freeze. They can also initiate a data dispute if they feel their Employment Data Report shows incomplete or inaccurate data. 
  

Our Commitment to Security

Equifax is an industry leader in digital security. 

Security Certifications

National Institute Standards and Technology (NIST) Aligned
Our cybersecurity and privacy framework meets requirements.
ISO 27001
Our people, processes, and technology are in place to protect data.
SOC2 Type II 
System resource protection exists against unauthorized access.
PCI-DSS Compliant 
Security requirements for all companies that process, store, or transact with credit cards.

Serving Organizations of All Sizes

Frequently Asked Questions

Visit employees.theworknumber.com to view your Employment Data Report, freeze your data, or dispute your data.

Creating an account to access our ordering platform is free. Before creating an account, you must have a valid, legal reason, called a permissible purpose, to purchase verifications. Verification pricing varies based on purpose and product.

The Work Number serves verifiers of all sizes across a range of industries, including mortgage, consumer lending, background screening, social services, and property management.