Can Background Check Reveal Social Security Number

Since they were first created in 1936, more than 450 million social security numbers (SSNs) have been issued to US citizens and permanent residents. SSNs are primarily used for identification and taxpaying services. Without a SSN, you can't obtain credit, receive government services, or buy a home. The SSN is essential to everyday life. Still, what many may not know is that the SSN is also a historical record that aids employers during the hiring process. It is a useful tool that delivers essential information about candidates during a background check.

What Is a SSN Trace?

A SSN trace is a database search that provides the twelvemonth, state of issuance, and accost and name history of a particular social security number. It is a critical component of a background check and helps to uncover many more than background details than a search by 1 proper name or i address. The SSN trace is such a valuable component of background checks that, according to a Professional Background Screening Association (PBSA) survey, 80 percent of organizations that comport background screening too include a SSN trace for all candidates.

When assessing the value a SSN trace provides, it is of import to note what the SSN trace is not. Sometimes a SSN trace tin can be confused every bit a method of identity verification. Yet, although a SSN trace tin identify aliases, addresses, and the validity of a specific SSN, it doesn't verify that a SSN belongs to the person who provided it. For this reason, SSN trace is a powerful groundwork screening tool that is best used equally part of a broader background screening plan.

v Reasons to Include a SSN Trace in the Background Screening Process

A SSN trace is much more than than a database search. In many ways, it is a gateway to additional data—information that provides more depth to an individual's background check. Here are five key reasons to include the SSN trace when conducting background checks.

1. It Tin Determine Applicable Criminal Record Searches

Information returned from a SSN trace tin can be used to determine applicable criminal record searches. It is helpful to recall of the SSN trace as a guide or an arrow; information technology points to many other possible sources of information about a candidate. Whereas a unmarried criminal records search will evangelize results for a given name, a SSN trace amplifies those criminal search results by providing all the names and addresses for a specific SSN. That boosted data tin be used to conduct a more in-depth search of criminal record databases, possibly yielding a more complete search result.

two. Information technology Helps Analysts Garner More Complete Background Investigations

A SSN trace helps screening analysts compile a more consummate background investigation. When analysts have more than information nigh other name changes, and multiple addresses for a candidate, they can piece of work with the hiring organization to decide what additional database or other searches may demand to exist performed. For example, if a candidate'southward SSN trace reveals a SSN issuance appointment that conflicts with the date of birth provided by the candidate, a screening analyst can accept activity to verify information provided by the candidate and explore other possible causes for the discrepancy.

[INTERACTIVE INFOGRAPHIC] How will your hiring process be different in 2021? Learn 2021's trends with our interactive infographic>>

3. It Tin can Reveal Previous Proper name Changes, Expanding Criminal History Searches

A SSN trace identifies individuals who have used different names in the past, an occurrence that isn't all that uncommon. Co-ordinate to i gauge, up to 50,000 people change their name each year, for a host of reasons, including to right a nascency certificate error, every bit a upshot of adoption, or to anglicize a name after moving to the United states of america from a different state. A SSN trace can reveal maiden names, and it can uncover individuals who changed their name to conceal a previous identity and individuals who utilise multiple aliases. Understanding the various names for an individual tin can expand criminal history searches and assistance verifications for employment, education, and professional licenses.

four. Information technology Can Generate a More Complete Accost History and Expose Gaps

Candidates completing background cheque authorizations may intentionally or unintentionally neglect to include all historical addresses. A SSN trace fills in the blanks past generating a list of a candidate's current and past addresses. In some cases, that list may exist more complete than what was provided by the candidate. Having a more than complete address history for a candidate allows background screeners to determine if it makes sense to conduct a criminal records search for additional locations beyond the candidate'south current county of residence. A SSN trace can also reveal gaps in a candidate's address history, which may require additional research.

v. It Tin can Uncover Fraudulent and Illegal Activity

Conducting a SSN trace can uncover fraudulent and illegal acts. It tin reveal individuals who may be using someone else's SSN to hide criminal activity, a revoked or suspended license, or other sanctions disallowment them from working in your manufacture. That kind of fraud may be more mutual than yous retrieve. Some cybersecurity experts believe that almost SSNs have been exposed on the nighttime web or compromised in some way. Conducting a SSN trace is a good style to uncover instances of inappropriate apply of a SSN, such as:

A fake SSN that has never been issued
A SSN that belongs to a deceased private
A SSN that has been used by multiple people

How to Get the Virtually out of a SSN Trace Study

Running a SSN trace isn't just a matter of plugging a social security number into a database. In reality, it's what you exercise with the information that makes for a more thorough background bank check. For case, experienced background screening analysts are able to examine SSN trace reports and determine the appropriate follow-up, helping to deliver information that improves the quality of the overall background cheque. Working with a reputable background screening partner can join technology and expert human analysis so that yous can remember, decipher, and understand the information coming from a SSN trace report. Skillful screening analysts can:

Make up one's mind what other data sources must be checked to verify data from a SSN trace report, including where information technology'southward necessary to do a deeper dive, either in the form of additional research or additional court searches.
Decipher misleading data that can appear on a SSN trace report, such as misspellings, transposed street address numbers, or the names of family members (for case, Michael Scott Jr. and Michael Scott Three).
Place appropriate next steps when a SSN trace produces few or no results. Analysts can asking clarifying data from the candidate, and they tin can likewise help y'all determine if in that location are valid reasons for limited information, such as a newly issued SSN or suspected identity theft.

A SSN trace is 1 of many useful background screening services that can help you make well-informed hiring decisions. It provides a historical roadmap of candidates' names and addresses and includes information that a candidate may have neglected to disembalm. At face up value, a SSN trace report could appear to be little more than than a list of names and addresses, merely it is so much more. You tin can realize the full value of the SSN trace study when you work with an experienced background screening partner and its team of expert screening analysts who use judgment and effort to develop a more complete picture of a candidate. With a team that digs deeper and asks the important questions, the SSN trace report can exist an invaluable part of your overall background screening program.

2021 Trends Interactive Infographic_690x175_v1