Social Security number verification service shows if info is consistent with Social Security records

The U.S. Social Security Administration says that the "new electronic Consent Based Social Security Number (SSN) Verification (eCBSV) service" is being rolled out this year to selected participants, with plans to increase the number of users in 2021.

The service will inform as to whether an individual's social security number, name and birthday are consistent with Social Security records.

"Social Security created eCBSV, a fee-based electronic SSN verification service, to allow select financial institutions and service providers, called 'permitted entities' and including subsidiaries, affiliates, agents, subcontractors, or assignees of a financial institution, to verify if a person’s SSN, name, and date of birth combination matches Social Security records," according to a press release. 

"Social Security needs the person’s written consent and will accept an electronic signature in order to disclose the SSN verification to the permitted entity," the release notes. "eCBSV does not verify a person’s identity," nor does it affect the current Consent Based SSN Verification service.