Before automated systems, verifying employment and income required submitting paper documents like pay stubs or W-2 forms, creating delays for both applicants and verifiers. Today, Automated Work Number Access eliminates these hassles by providing near-instant verification through a centralized database supplied by employers.
The primary service used for this purpose is The Work Number®, operated by Equifax. Millions of employers across industries report payroll data regularly to this system, creating a real-time digital record of employment and earnings.
When you apply for credit, housing, or employment, you typically consent to allow the verifier—such as a lender or landlord—to access your information through The Work Number®. This process is governed by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), ensuring your data is handled lawfully and with your permission.
Here’s a general overview of how it works:
- Application Submission: You provide your personal details and give consent to verify your employment and income.
- Data Request: The verifier logs into The Work Number’s secure portal and requests your employment data using identifying information like your Social Security number.
- Instant Response: The system returns an employment and income report confirming your job status, employer, dates of employment, job title, and salary details within seconds.
The information provided excludes subjective data such as job performance or reasons for leaving employment. Instead, it focuses on factual payroll data including employer name, employment status (active or inactive), start and end dates, pay frequency, and gross earnings to date.
Under FCRA, you have the right to annually obtain a free copy of your Employment Data Report from The Work Number® to review the accuracy of your information. If you detect errors, you can dispute these directly through the service, which is required to investigate and correct inaccuracies.
Accessing your Employment Data Report is straightforward:
- Visit the official employee access site at employees.theworknumber.com.
- Provide your employer’s details and any login credentials as directed.
- Request your free annual report to verify your employment data.
It’s important to understand common misconceptions:
- Only authorized verifiers with your written consent can access your information — unauthorized parties cannot.
- You have the right to freeze or limit access to your data, though this may impact ongoing applications.
- Reports do not include reasons for job termination or subjective assessments.
Automated Work Number Access simplifies and secures the verification process, enabling faster financial decisions while protecting your rights. Stay informed by reviewing your employment data regularly to avoid surprises during credit applications or job screenings.
For additional information about your rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, see our Fair Credit Reporting Act glossary entry and consult the official CFPB guide on employment data reports.