"He said he made up his social security by dividing his year of birth into his telephone number. I think we should ask for a larger security deposit."

Other than the tenants name, the social security number is the most important piece of information required. Confirm the social security number by checking and cross-checking as many ways as possible. If available, ask for the prospective tenants’ social security card and compare it to the number provided on the application. Be careful to check for transposition of numbers and inconsistencies with the name.

Look for an application form that breaks down the social security number into 3 groups. This will tend to minimize errors, omission, and transpositions of this critical ingredient.

Next ask for the prospective tenant to provide a copy of his pay stub and/or most recent W-2 Form. Compare the consistency of the social security number with the one provided on the application.

Once you are satisfied that you have adequate evidence to show the number provided may be legitimate, it’s time to check it even further. While many people will not be able to provide you with a copy of their social security card, keep in mind that a counterfeit social security card can be purchased for as little as $40. At RENT RECOVERY SERVICE, we review files everyday with fake social security numbers, numbers of deceased individuals, and stolen social security numbers.

The next step is to understand how to read a social security number.  A social security number is always broken into three sets of numbers.  Except for a few numbers issued to the military during the mid 1970's, all social security numbers contain nine digits.  Those that were issued with ten numbers all begin with zero.  The first three digits will indicate where the card originated from.  If a number originates from Montana and the prospective tenant shows previous addresses from New York and Florida, claims to be born in Texas, and is now applying to rent your apartment in California, there may be a problem.  In other words, you must be smart and play detective.  Ask the prospective tenant what state they received their social security card.  The Social Security Index of Valid Numbers will show you how to easily interpret the first three digits and establish a state of origin.

If a prospective tenant provides a social security number with the area number not corresponding with any of the fifty states reflected in the accompanying chart, assume this is a fraudulent social security number and send him on his way.

To further determine the legitimacy of a social security number several states use it on their drivers license.  Please refer to the social security index/driver's license to cross check a driver's license with a social security number.

A final word about the social security number in relation to the credit bureau portion of the tenant screening report.  A tenant screening report is only as good as the information that has been input before you.  Unless the consumer has filed a complaint, the credit bureaus do virtually nothing to verify data in a credit report.  Therefore, if a consumer/prospective tenant has been applying for and obtaining  credit under a fake social security number - it may go unnoticed for a long time. Conversely if a complaint has been filed, the three major credit bureaus will place a "Fraud Alert" with special instructions on their part of the report.  Additionally, a report may indicate social security numbers other than the one input.  In that case, if you are still interested in renting to this person, the ability to search the true identity of any social security number should be available through your screening company.

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