Abstract: Records are obtained from various sources, including public records, and are then augmented and grouped. At least one augment key is applied to each of the records resulting in an augment key value for each record. The records are augmented based on the key value. Augmenting the records includes combining the fields of the common records into a single record and then removing the duplicate records. The augmented records are then grouped according to household. At least one household grouping key is applied to each of the augmented records resulting in a household grouping key value for each record. The records having the same household grouping key value are displayed as a household grouping.

Abstract: Public records are used to help in the detection and prevention of fraud as well as to verify a consumer. Public records are accessed in real-time and then used to determine if a consumer is who they claim to be or is a fraudster. Questions are generated using the public records based on an initial fraud score and a verification level associated with the entity requesting the fraud and verification services. Based on the response to the questions, the fraud score is updated and a confidence level is returned to the requestor to determine whether the user is legitimate or a fraudster. The questions may be presented online or offline. The verification can be different for every merchant.