I recently got a job offer (full time) and until then I did not realize how important it was to freeze the TWN, a quick run down on important things ... Save this as this could be handy !

What is TWN

(1) The Work Number - an Equifax company which is a central database of employment history - which companies voluntary report data as well a subscribe data to find out where the employee worked

How to get your report
(1) As a Employee - you can view your report by logging into TWN
https://secure.theworknumber.talx.com/twneeer/Preauthenticated/FindEmployer.aspx

You start off with your employer name and then your SSN/FN/LN/DoB.

For me - it was straightforward - I keyed in my employer name + other info and got the report

For my wife - it was trying to authorize and send the auth codes to my wife's employer phone number which was surprising instead of her phone number, so we could never get it - I am still trying to figure out how to get her TWN report

What does the report contain

(1) Your name, address
(2) Whom are you working with, since when
(3) How much you got paid each year and month - this was a big surprise to me and it was accurate for the most recent company i worked with

Is it Accurate ?
In my case not all was accurate
(a) My current employer and salary history was very accurate
(b) I worked for a company in 2010-2020 - it says that I am still working there, which is not accurate, I am not planning to dispute it, let it remain as an inaccuracy so that I can use it to tell that information on TWN is bad
(c) I had accepted an offer from a Big 4 in 2018 and rejected it, did not join them, but to my surprise this information was in TWN from 2018 even though I did not join them. I told them I am no joining literally 3 days before the start date. The TWN report said it is not active, but still surprised that the big 4 reported it
(d) Not all companies report/subscribe to TWN - I work for another company and they are not even listed in TWN website !

How to put a freeze ?

Easiest way is to put a request on their website - they send a secure email to you with a website link. (about 24 hours) - Watch for that email - it contains a link - login to the website and upload proof of id and address - passport/dl/utility bill ...

How to Unfreeze ?
Within 2-3 days your report will be frozen (yes that fast !) and you will get a physical mail with a PIN number - this is very important - you will need this to unfreeze the report - store it carefully

How to dispute

There is a link to dispute your employment history online (I never used it - as I want a few inaccuracies on my report)

How to call them
I tried to call them with a few questions - but never got lucky - they do not want to talk to employees like us - if anyone had any luck - pls comment below !

YSK about Equifax’s The Work Number that tracks your work and income history as a service for employers and creditors. The Work Number shows hire dates, pay, insurance, workers comp information, termination dates, and even reasons for terminations.

Why YSK: Multiple reasons you should know this but consider how your HR can easily lie to you because of this third party service. Your employer might say something to you like “we don’t disclose that information after you leave.” regarding terminations, pay, etc.. But your employer will use The Work Number and they will disclose that information and a lot more.
You can download your Work Number report for free and opt out by emailing them.

Over the past year, there’s been a lot of misinformation being spread online in regards to The Work Number. Yes, a report that provides your past income, employment dates, and even business income does exist. No, it is not often accurate. But recruiters and verification services still use it, to try and poke holes in applicant’s resumes or stories. 

While researching this, we created a Compendium of everything TWN related, including:

• Where does the data come from?

• Step by step instructions on how to freeze your TWN

• Reasons to give when a recruiter asks about your frozen TWN

Please, if you don't know what the TWN is, please learn about it and freeze it! Even if you aren't lying or doing overemployment. For example, they've even convinced QuickBooks to sell them data on how much money your small business makes.

Just wanted to give a PSA to job hunters out there. I genuinely had no idea this existed until I saw a TikTok a few months ago saying you could freeze this info. Basically It’s an employment and income database. SOME employers report your job history and pay info to it. Prospective employers can access this to verify employment history and income.

I checked mine and had jobs from so long ago that aren’t listed on my resume. and some of the dates / info were completely incorrect. You can freeze it on the website theworknumber.com

I’m not sure how many companies verify through this database but it’s worth checking out to prevent any discrepancies in what’s listed on resume vs what’s listed on your work number report

I saw on a recent post that mentioned equifax has a tool that tracks your employment details such as you salary and other similar information. On one hand, if companies see this it can damage your salary negotiations. On the other hand, a company might have a negative reaction if they request it and get nothing back. Has anyone here had to deal with the product or is it something that’s had no impact on your career?