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SSN Verification: The Foundation
Social Security Number verification serves as the cornerstone of every background screening program. This critical first step validates the applicant's identity and provides essential information for conducting comprehensive searches.
What SSN Verification Reveals:
• Validity confirmation – Verifies the SSN is in a valid range issued by the Social Security Administration • Death Master File check – Searches against the deceased persons database to detect fraudulent use • Issuance details – Identifies the year and state where the SSN was originally issued • Name matching – Confirms the SSN is associated with the provided applicant name • Address history – May reveal previous addresses tied to the SSN for expanded search scope
Without proper SSN verification, subsequent criminal and employment searches may be conducted in incorrect jurisdictions or under wrong name variations, creating dangerous gaps in your screening program. Key SSN Verification Services
CBSV – Consent Based Social Security Number Verification Service • Developed and administered by Social Security Administration • Cannot be used as a substitute for I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification • Fee based and optional service
E-Verify – Administered by the Department of Homeland Security / USCIS – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service • Used post-hire only • Mandatory in some states and jurisdictions
I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification – Administered by Dept of Homeland Security / USCIS - U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service • Required for employment
SSNVS – Social Security Number Verification Service • From Social Security Administration • Not for employment verification; limited to payroll reporting purposes • Illegal to use for non-wage reporting purposes such as identity, credit checks, mortgage applications, etc.
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SSN Trace Reports: Uncovering Address History SSN trace reports go beyond basic verification to reveal comprehensive address history associated with the Social Security Number. This expanded view is essential for conducting thorough jurisdiction-based criminal searches. Key Components of a Trace Report:
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SSN validity within official ranges
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Cross-reference with Death Master File
Year and state of original issuance
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Current and historical addresses
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Potential name variations or aliases
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Date ranges for address associations
Best Practice: Use the address history from an SSN trace to determine which county and state criminal searches should be conducted. Applicants may have resided in multiple jurisdictions where records could exist.
The quality of data sources used for SSN traces varies significantly between providers. Premium sources offer more comprehensive address histories, including utility company records, credit header data, and other proprietary databases that reveal locations where an applicant may have lived but not disclosed.
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