Social Security Trace VS Social Security Verification

One of the most common misconceptions in employee background screening requests is the difference between a social security trace and a social security verification.

Typically, an employment background check consists of a social trace, which is an instant search administered based on the number submitted by the applicant. The search returns all the credit header information associated with that number but does not mean a credit check is being run. The names and information on a trace is only as reliable as the information reported by the credit agencies so names are commonly misspelled, social security numbers can be wrong, and addresses can be entered incorrectly. Additionally, if there are spouses, parents, children, roommates, or others who jointly apply for credit, these names and addresses can appear on a social trace as well.  

Why is a social security trace valuable?

• Provides current and previous residential history (typically information reported goes back 7-10 years)
• Supplies aliases, AKAs, and legal name changes for the individual

What are its limitations?

• It is not a verification that a certain social security number belongs to a certain individual
• It does not supply information on whether a person has provided a valid social security number

Why might my applicant’s social security trace come back without any address history?

1. The applicant’s limited credit history, often resulting of the applicant being young thus not having any credit history. Also because the applicant was just recently assigned a social security number.
2. The person has never applied for credit.
3. The number was written down or entered incorrectly.
4. Data entry error by the applicant on the consent or the client entering the request

How can I verify my applicant’s social security number is valid?
MBI offers a Consent Based SSN Verification Service to determine if the data does or does not match. We will offer an exclusive SSA verification attached with your completed background result which we provide at no additional cost. MBI also offers EVP (Electronic Verified Persons) option to verify a cadidate’s socail security number or you can set up an account directly through E-Verify (at no cost). You cannot use a social trace against an application so please make sure you are verifying the social security number.

If you have any questions or are interested in adding a SSN verification to your background requests, please contact a MBI Representative at 888-896-5735.

Written by M. Moyers