Spirion Data Types Explained

The following are Spirion AnyFinds™ Data Types.

Managing these Data Types are of critical importance to manage Personally Identifiable Information (PII) and to comply with regulations, as well as combat identity theft.

  • Spirion AnyFinds™ Data Types are provided by default.

  • These data types are found on the Data Types page (Settings > Global Data Types), on the tab SPIRION DATA TYPES (ANYFINDS).

  • Custom data types, created by you, the user, are found on the same page under the tab CUSTOM DATA TYPES.

Social Security Numbers

  • A US Social Security Number (SSN) is a unique, nine-digit number issued by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to citizens, permanent residents, and eligible temporary workers for tracking earnings, benefits, and taxes, effectively acting as a primary national ID for work, finance, and government services, applied for using Form SS-5.

  • A security and privacy risk because Social Security numbers can be used to open credit card accounts and bank accounts on someone's behalf.

Credit Card Numbers

  • A credit card number is a unique identifier (typically 13-19 digits) on your card, composed of sections identifying the industry, issuer, and your account, with the final digit acting as a checksum for validity, essential for transactions but requiring careful protection from fraud.

  • Can be used to make unauthorized purchases on your behalf.

Structure of a Credit Card Number

  • First Digit (MII): The first number starts with a 3, 4, 5, or 6. This first number is called the major industry identifier (MII) number, and it shows the primary industry associated with the card or card issuer (example: 4 for Visa, 5 for Mastercard, 6 for Discover). The 3 through 6 range represents MIIs most used by the majority of personal credit card issuers. Other MII examples include 1, designating an air travel and financial services issuer, and 7, which is primarily used for cards issued in the petroleum industry.

  • Second through Sixth Digits - Issuer Identification Number (IIN/BIN): The next five-digit set of numbers is called the issuer identification number (IIN) or the bank identification number (BIN). These numbers refer to the credit card company that issued the card, and also identified which payment network the card belongs to.

  • Seventh Through fourteenth or fifteenth Digits: This section immediately follows the IIN. The individual account number is assigned by the card issuer and is unique to each credit card account. Your account number and card number aren’t the same. While the MII and IIN let merchants know what institution the money is coming from, this section can tell them which accounts may be charged.

  • Checksum Digit: The very last digit is a calculated number to verify the card's authenticity.

Security & Protection

  • CVV/CVC: The 3 or 4-digit security code (usually on the back) is needed for online/phone purchases, says Lloyds Bank and American Express.

  • Passwords: Passwords can be used to authenticate you online.

  • Bank Account Numbers: Can be used to gain access to your financial information and conduct transactions on your behalf.

Driver Licenses

  • A U.S. driver's license, issued by each state's DMV, is required to drive, with requirements varying by state but generally including proving identity (birth certificate, passport), residency (utility bill), and legal presence (for non-citizens).

  • The process involves passing vision, written (knowledge), and on-road (skills) tests, plus paying fees, with most people getting a standard Class D license for personal vehicles.

  • Commonly used as a way to identify who you are.

Dates of Birth

  • A person's "date of birth" (or birthdate) is simply the specific day, month, and year they were born, a key piece of personal information used on forms, documents, and for age verification, usually written as MM/DD/YYYY (US) or DD/MM/YYYY (most other places).

  • Recorded on birth certificates.

  • Commonly used as a way to authenticate a person over the phone as companies typically ask you to confirm you are who you say by stating your Date of Birth.

  • Found in passports, driver's licenses, and old family records.

  • Format: Most commonly Month/Day/Year (example: 01/15/1990 in the US) or Day/Month/Year (example: 15/01/1990).

  • Usage: Essential for official records, IDs, banking, and healthcare.

Phone Numbers

  • A phone number is a sequence of digits used as an address for a telecommunication endpoint, such as a phone.

  • Often used to confirm identity, such as sending an SMS message to the phone number on file.

E-Mail Addresses

  • An email address is a unique digital identifier (like username@domain.com) used for sending and receiving electronic messages

  • Consists of a local part (username), the @ symbol, and a domain name that points to the mail server

  • Essential for online communication, account creation, and services.

  • When entering a unique E-Mail Address, it must be entered as no more than 100 letters, numbers, dashes, periods, or underscores, but without any other characters.

  • One '@' character is required.

Personal Addresses

  • A personal address (often called a residential or home address) is the specific geographic location where an individual or family lives.

  • A personal address is not necessarily the same as a mailing address, business address, or legal address. It serves as a primary point of contact for personal correspondence, legal identification, and accessing essential services.

  • Standard Format: In the U.S., it typically includes the recipient’s name, house/apartment number, street name, city, state, and ZIP code.

  • Legal Identity: It is the official "home of record" used on government documents like driver's licenses, passports, and voter registrations.

  • A permanent personal address is considered a long-term residence, distinguishing it from temporary or vacation addresses.

Common Uses

  • Official Documentation: Required for tax records, vehicle registration, and background checks.

  • Utility Services: Used to activate electricity, water, and internet services.

  • Financial: Can be used to open credit card accounts and bank accounts on your behalf.

Passport Numbers

  • A passport number is a unique alphanumeric code identifying your specific travel document, found on the photo page (usually top right) and often the back cover, used for travel, visas, and identity verification; it changes with each new passport issued, unlike a national ID.

  • Structure: U.S. passports now use a letter followed by eight numbers, while formats vary by country. A passport is a travel document that certifies the identity and nationality of its holder. Most passports contain information such as name, place and date of birth, photograph, signature, and other relevant identifying information.

Health Information

  • There are many regulations about Health Information that must be complied with. See below.

Medical Record Number (MRN)

  • A Medical Record Number (MRN) is a unique identifier assigned by a healthcare facility or hospital system to track a patient’s health information over time. It serves as a permanent internal code that links all of an individual's medical history, treatments, and laboratory results within that specific organization.

  • Organization-Specific: Most patients have different MRNs for different hospital systems (example: one for Inova and another for Sentara), as there is currently no universal national medical ID in the U.S.

  • Permanent: Unlike a visit or "encounter" number, which changes every time you see a doctor, an MRN remains the same for your entire life within that healthcare network.

  • Privacy Protected: Under HIPAA, an MRN is considered Protected Health Information (PHI) and is used in place of names or Social Security numbers to reduce the risk of identity theft and data breaches.

  • Discharge Papers: MRNs can be found at the top or bottom corner of visit summaries, lab orders, or hospital discharge instructions.

  • Wristbands: If currently admitted, the number is printed on your hospital identification band.

  • Insurance Cards: Some integrated systems, such as Kaiser Permanente, print the MRN directly on the front of the member ID card.

DEA Number (Drug Enforcement Administration Registration Number)

  • Other health information may include a DEA Number (Drug Enforcement Administration Registration Number) which is a unique identifier assigned to healthcare providers and facilities that allows them to legally prescribe, dispense, or administer controlled substances.

  • Unlike a personal address or SIN, a DEA number is not assigned to patients. It is only issued to the following three entities:

    • Individual Practitioners: Physicians (MD/DO), dentists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, veterinarians, and optometrists.

    • Facilities: Hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, and manufacturers.

    • Mid-level Practitioners: Assigned with a first letter of "M" to distinguish them from high-level practitioners (typically "A", "B", "F", or "G").

  • In Medical Records

    • Prescription Authentication: Pharmacists use the DEA number to verify that a provider has the legal authority to order controlled medications (like narcotics or sedatives).

    • Tracking and Monitoring: It enables the DEA to track prescribing patterns and identify potential fraud, misuse, or drug diversion.

    • Record Retention: Providers must maintain thorough records of all controlled substance transactions associated with their DEA number for at least two years.

  • Structure of DEA Number

    • A valid DEA number always follows a specific 9-character format:

      • First Letter: Identifies the type of registrant (example: Characters A/B/F/G for doctors, M for mid-level).

      • Second Letter: Usually the first letter of the provider's last name (or "9" for businesses).

      • Seven Digits: A unique sequence where the last digit is a "check digit" calculated through a specific mathematical formula to prevent errors or forgery.

National Provider Identifier (NPI)

  • Other health information may include an NPI. A National Provider Identifier (NPI) is a unique 10-digit identification number issued to healthcare providers in the United States.

  • Established by HIPAA, it serves as a universal standard to identify individual clinicians and healthcare organizations in all administrative and financial transactions, such as billing insurance.

  • Universal & Permanent: An NPI replaces all "legacy" identifiers previously assigned by different insurance plans. It stays with a provider for their entire career, regardless of changes to their name, specialty, or practice location.

  • "Intelligence-Free": The number does not contain coded information about the provider, such as their state of practice or medical specialty.

  • Public Record: NPI numbers are not private. They are listed in a public database for verification by patients, pharmacies, and other providers.

  • Two Types of NPIs:

    • Type 1 (Individual): For sole practitioners, such as physicians, dentists, nurse practitioners, and physical therapists.

    • Type 2 (Organization): For healthcare entities, including hospitals, clinics, group practices, pharmacies, and laboratories.

  • Uses:

    • Billing & Claims: Providers must have an NPI to submit electronic claims to any health plan, including Medicare and Medicaid.

    • Prescriptions: Pharmacists use NPIs to identify the prescriber on a prescription. While a DEA number is required for controlled substances, an NPI is the standard identifier for all other medications.

    • Referrals: When a doctor refers you to a specialist, they use the specialist's NPI to ensure medical records and billing are correctly linked.

Canada Social Insurance Numbers (SIN)

  • A Social Insurance Number (SIN) is a unique nine-digit number used by the Canadian government to identify individuals for tax purposes and to administer national programs. It is essential for anyone who wants to work legally in Canada or access government benefits.

  • Employment: A SIN must be provided to an employer within three days of starting a job so they can report your income and taxes.

  • Taxes: The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) uses a person's SIN to identify them when they file annual income taxes.

  • Benefits: A SIN is required to receive payments from government programs like the Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Employment Insurance (EI), and the Canada Child Benefit.

  • Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents are issued a permanent SIN that does not expire.

  • Temporary Residents: International students and foreign workers are issued a temporary SIN beginning with the number "9". These numbers have an expiry date, usually matching the individual's work or study permit.

  • Social Insurance Numbers are used in Canada and can be used to open credit cards and bank accounts on your behalf, so searching for this Data Type is of critical importance to prevent identity theft.

United Kingdom National Insurance Numbers (NINO)

  • A National Insurance number is a unique identifier used in the United Kingdom to record your taxes and National Insurance contributions. It ensures these payments are credited to your personal record, which determines your eligibility for the State Pension and other benefits.

  • National Insurance Numbers can be used to open credit cards and bank accounts on your behalf, so searching for this Data Type is of critical importance to prevent identity theft.

  • Format: National Insurance numbers consist of two letters, six numbers, and a final letter (example: QQ 12 34 56 A).

  • Duration: The number stays the same for your entire life, even if you move abroad and return.

  • Not ID: While unique, National Insurance numbers are not a form of legal identification and does not prove your right to work in the UK.

  • Employment: Employers require a National Insurance number to process payroll and deduct taxes correctly.

  • Government Benefits: Necessary to claim Universal Credit, Jobseeker’s Allowance, or maternity allowance.

  • Financial Services: A National Insurance number is required for opening an Individual Savings Account (ISA) or applying for a student loan.

  • Voting: Used to verify your identity when registering to vote.

  • Automatic Issuance: UK residents are usually issued their National Insurance number automatically three months before their 16th birthday if their parents claimed Child Benefit for them.

United Kingdom National Health Service Numbers (NHS)

  • The National Health Service (NHS) Number is a unique 10-digit identifier for individuals in England, Wales, and the Isle of Man, used to access healthcare;

  • Found on official letters, prescriptions, test results, or by contacting your GP or using the online service,

  • National Health Service Numbers are used in the United Kingdom and can be used to open credit cards and bank accounts on your behalf, so searching for this Data Type is of critical importance to prevent identity theft.

Australia Tax File Numbers (TFN)

  • An Australian Tax File Number (TFN) is a unique, personal reference number in the Australian tax and superannuation systems

  • An Australian Tax File Number (TFN) is a unique, nine-digit number

  • The number is issued by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).

  • Recipients keep their Tax File Number for life, even if they change jobs, name, or move overseas.

  • Tax File Numbers can be used to open credit cards and bank accounts on someone's behalf, so searching for this Data Type is of critical importance to prevent identity theft.