Patent ID: 7676459

Claim:
A computer implemented method for creating an index that tracks consumers, comprising: maintaining a first set of data records in a data store, each record comprising identification information, geography information, and other information of a consumer, the identification information comprising a social security number; using at least one computer processor, creating a first identification information index comprising the identification information and the geography information for each record of the first set of data records; using an interface device coupled to said storage device, receiving a second set of data records from a trusted data source, each record comprising identification information, geography information, and other information of a consumer, the identification information comprising at least a social security number, the trusted data source comprising at least one of a government agency, a data aggregator and a credit reporting agency; using the at least one computer processor, separating an identification information and a geography information from other information of a consumer for each record of the second set of data records; using the at least one computer processor, creating a second identification information index comprising the identification information and the geography information for each record of the second set of data records; using the at least one computer processor, sorting each set of data records in said second identification information index by social security number; using the at least one computer processor, placing sets of data records in said second identification information index with similar social security numbers into groups; and using the at least one computer processor, applying one or more social security number based rules to the groups without user intervention to determine whether one or more information index and a record from the second set of data records relate to a single consumer.