Method, system, and apparatus for identification number authentication

Abstract

A computer based method of authentication including the steps of displaying a field operatively arranged for entry of data representative of a mathematical function of digits in a person's Social Security Number and displaying instructions to the person indicating a specific mathematical function to be performed by the person to arrive at the representative data, performing the specific mathematical function of digits in the person's Social Security Number, and comparing a result of the performing the specific mathematical function of digits in the person's Social Security Number with the received data representative of the mathematical function of digits in the person's Social Security Number to authenticate the person's identity.

1 . A computer based method of authentication, comprising the steps of:
 (a) forming a single group of digits by selecting a plurality of different digits from a person's Social Security Number with a processor;   (b) displaying a field operatively arranged for entry of data representative of a specific mathematical function performed on said single group of digits;   (c) displaying instructions to said person indicating said specific mathematical function to be performed on said single group of digits by said person to arrive at said representative data;   (d) displaying a field operatively arranged for entry of other data representative of the identity of said person;   (e) receiving said data representative of said mathematical function performed on said single group of digits;   (f) receiving other data representative of the identity of said person;   (g) determining said person's Social Security Number from said other data representative of the identity of said person, wherein said determining is accomplished by a lookup process in a database with said processor;   (h) performing said specific mathematical function on said single group of digits with said processor;   (i) comparing, with said processor, a result of said performing said specific mathematical function on said single group of digits with said received data representative of said mathematical function performed on said single group of digits; and,   (j) authenticating said person's identity if said result and said representative data match when said result and said representative data are compared in step (i).   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said single group of digits consists of the last four digits of said Social Security Number. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said single group of digits is selected randomly. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said single group of digits consists of exactly two digits of said Social Security Number. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said specific mathematical function is performed on said single group of digits only. 
   
   
       6 . An apparatus for authentication, comprising:
 a processor;   a storage medium comprising software instructions which, when executed by said processor, perform a method of authentication, said method comprising the steps of:   (a) forming a single group of digits by selecting a plurality of different digits from a person's Social Security Number;   (b) displaying a field operatively arranged for entry of data representative of a specific mathematical function performed on said single group of digits;   (c) displaying instructions to said person indicating said specific mathematical function to be performed on said single group of digits by said person to arrive at said representative data;   (d) displaying a field operatively arranged for entry of other data representative of the identity of said person;   (e) receiving said data representative of said mathematical function performed on said single group of digits;   (f) receiving other data representative of the identity of said person;   (g) determining said person's Social Security Number from said other data representative of the identity of said person, wherein said determining is accomplished by a lookup process in a database;   (h) performing said specific mathematical function on said single group of digits;   (i) comparing a result of said performing said specific mathematical function on said single group of digits formed from said person's Social Security Number with said received data representative of said mathematical function performed on said single group of digits; and,   (j) authenticating said person's identity if said result and said representative data match when said result and said representative data are compared in step (i).   
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein said single group of digits consists of the last four digits of said Social Security Number. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein said single group of digits is selected randomly. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein said single group of digits consists of exactly two digits of said Social Security Number. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein said specific mathematical function is performed on said single group of digits only.