The Work Number
The employment and income verification database lenders use
What The Work Number Tracks
- Employment history (dates of employment, employer names)
- Income information (salary, pay type, pay frequency)
- Employment status (active, terminated)
- Benefits data
- Contribution data for retirement accounts
Who Uses The Work Number?
Mortgage lenders, auto lenders, government benefit agencies, landlords, and other creditors use The Work Number to verify employment and income during the application process. Employers voluntarily share payroll data with the system.
How to Get Your Free Report
Request your free Equifax Workforce Solutions Employment Data Report at theworknumber.com or by calling 800-367-2884. You're entitled to one free annual report under FCRA.
How to Dispute Errors
Disputes can be filed at theworknumber.com or through Equifax Workforce Solutions. Your employer is the data furnisher and may need to correct records at the source.
Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), consumer reporting agencies must investigate disputes within 30 days and correct or remove information they cannot verify.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Work Number?
The Work Number is an employment and income verification database operated by Equifax Workforce Solutions. It contains payroll data from millions of US employers. Lenders, landlords, and government agencies use it to verify employment and income when you apply for credit, housing, or benefits.
Why is my income wrong on The Work Number?
Your employer submits payroll data to The Work Number. If the data is wrong, the error likely originates with your employer's payroll system. Contact your employer's HR or payroll department and dispute the inaccuracy at theworknumber.com.
Does The Work Number affect my credit score?
The Work Number database doesn't directly affect your FICO credit score. However, lenders use it to verify the income and employment information you provide on loan applications. Inaccurate data can affect loan approval decisions even if your credit score is strong.
Can I block access to my Work Number data?
You can place a freeze on your Equifax Workforce Solutions file, which restricts who can access your employment and income data. This can be useful if you're concerned about unauthorized access. However, it may also slow the verification process when you legitimately apply for credit.