SSN Trace - Social Security Number Background Checks (2024)

FAQs

What does SSN trace mean on a background check? ›

An SSN trace, also known as as Social Security background check, returns information related to a Social Security number. This information can include when and where the SSN was issued, as well as any associated names like aliases and maiden names.

Certain reports will be returned as “unperformable” if we were unable to process the search. This is typically caused by invalid order information, i.e. An incorrect drivers license number or if additional information was requested and not provided by the candidate.

Some background checks run on Name and Date of Birth or through Social Security Numbers. If one letter or number is incorrect, it could possibly skew the results in their entirety. This could be the difference between a great hire and risky hire that could potentially be a liability to the company.

An SSN Trace pulls a wide range of information regarding the SSN in question, and is typically used during pre-employment background checks. SSN verification is often used after hiring to confirm the name and SSN number of an employee matches the Social Security Administration's record, using Form I-9.

In order to do a complete and comprehensive background check for potential employees, most companies request Social Security Numbers (SSN.)

An SSN trace also doesn't provide comprehensive information about an applicant such education or employment history. It is therefore crucial that you conduct additional searches to verify the information reported by an applicant.

The intended purpose of the SSN trace is to confirm that the SSN is valid and matches the job candidate's name and date of birth. It reveals that the number is issued, valid, and associated with the candidate's name and birth date. It also reveals any discrepancies in the information the applicant has submitted.

A recent change in name (due to marriage or divorce) A new SSN (e.g., the SSN was recently issued) The information you provided does not match information available in credit and public records data. No established credit.

It could mean a myriad of things depending on what service an employer utilizes for a background check. It could mean anything from a misspelled name, a transposition of digits on a date of birth, or in the case of a multiple surname, a difference in which part of the name is shown first.

Employers conduct background checks and reference checks to verify the information provided by job seekers. If they discover that you lied on your resume, they might rescind the job offer or terminate your employment.

How do I check to see if someone is using my social security number? ›

Contact the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) at 1-800-908-4490 or visit them online, if you believe someone is using your SSN to work, get your tax refund, or other abuses involving taxes. Order free credit reports annually from the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion).

It's best to notify the employer straightaway and provide evidence to prove the information is wrong, then, together, you can move forward to get the background check results corrected.

An SSN Trace, sometimes also referred to as a Social Security background check, will return information related to a Social Security number, which may include: The year the SSN was issued. The state in which the SSN was issued. Associated names, including aliases and maiden names. Recent and associated addresses.

SSN Trace finds out if a SSN is valid and matches the name and date of birth provided by the candidate, but if the identity is stolen, the SSN Trace could still come back clear.

E-Verify is the only way to to receive employment eligibility verifications directly from the SSA and DHS. Avoid confusion with the SSN Trace, which is used to retrieve address history, employment history, validity of the SSN, etc., to support and supplement your pre-employment background checks.

A social security trace is a report that will return all current and reported addresses associated with a specific individual based on his or her social security number. If there are alternate names (aliases or also known as [AKA]) these are reported also.

While not required, SSA provides a service for employers to verify a name and SSN for wage reporting purposes when you want additional assurance of an employee's correct name and SSN.

Assigned at birth, the SSN enables government agencies to identify individuals in their records and businesses to track an individual's financial information.

If you have someone's Social Security Number, you'll be able to get extra information about them using an SSN reverse lookup, which can help legitimate Social Security Number users understand more about an individual and verify their identity.