Background Checks and Social Security Traces

Background Checks and Social Security Traces

Background checks may be made up of a number of elements such as criminal background checks, credit reports, motor vehicle reports, and references of various types.

A valuable but often omitted check that can be used in several ways is the social security trace.  When you order and receive a trace from your background check company, what should you expect to see?

The information contained in a social security trace comes from various sources, but mainly from credit reporting agencies.  It is sometimes referred to as credit header information, although there is no actual credit information in it.

What you will see is when the social security number was issued, the state in which it was issued, and that it is a legitimate number.  You will also receive a history of addresses associated with the social security number, as well as all names associated with the number.

The address history will reveal locations where the subject of the background check resided, whether they listed on the resume or application or not.  If not, was the subject deliberately concealing the fact that he or she lived in a particular place? And if so, was it done so that a criminal background check would not be conducted in that jurisdiction?  Or perhaps the person moves frequently without cause.

Your background check company will suggest that you order a social security trace and that you check all jurisdictions and courts where the subject resided, in order to get a complete picture of your potential employee.

The trace should not, however be used by itself as a reason to deny or exclude an individual from employment.

The social security number trace is a quick and economical way to enhance the value your employee related background checks.

For further information on background checks, please call 770-426-0547 or click here.