ACR 30676 – TINS System Change
Nov. 7, 2011

Introduction

ACR 30676 modified the Texas Identification Number System (TINS) effective Nov. 7, 2011, to provide additional safeguards to prevent confidential information from being printed on a warrant and Notice of State Payment(s) Held.

Note: ACR 29965, implemented July 8, 2011, changed the warrant print program to mask Social Security numbers (SSNs) on warrants and warrant stubs for Texas Identification Numbers (TINs) prefixed with a 2 that process through the Uniform Statewide Accounting System (USAS).

Issue

Some agencies may still have SSNs and/or credit card numbers embedded in the name and address fields in TINS in violation of the Comptroller's Confidential Data Prohibition policy included in the mail code section of the Texas Identification Number System Guide (FPP P.003). This information could print on a warrant.

In addition, the Notice of State Payment(s) Held is generated with the TIN that contains the SSN for the payee. The Social Security Number Protection Act of 2010 prohibits all levels of government from “displaying the Social Security account number of any individual, or any derivative of such number, on any check issued for any payment by the federal, state or local agency.”

Solution

In the Comptroller’s continuing efforts to protect confidential information printed on warrants, ACR 30676 will attempt to identify and mask any SSNs that may be embedded within the name and address lines of a warrant. Credit card numbers may be included in the payee address lines for certain state programs will also be masked.

The same controls will be in place for Notice of State Payment(s) Held.

TIN Example: 2xxxxx12345

SSN Example: xxxxx1234

Credit Card Number Example: xxxxxxxxxxxx1234

With the implementation of ACR 30676, a new TINS Report will be available via remote print. The Warrant and Hold Notice Data Masking by Agency Report will display a “before and after” comparison of the TINS mail code name and address lines and the masked results printed on the warrants and Notice of State Payment(s) Held.

For More Information

If you have questions, please contact the Payment Services section at (512) 936-8138 or tins.mail@cpa.texas.gov.