Conducting a Social Security Number Trace is the first line of defense against applicant fraud. We attempt to confirm the number provided by the applicant prior to performing any other searches to avoid the inconvenience and expense of performing unnecessary searches with an incorrect Social Security Number. This is an important first step in the background investigation process since the first thing we do, if provided this option by the client, is to determine if the person we are investigating is who they say they are.

Once the Social Security Number has been confirmed we are able to verify the applicant's identity by confirming whether the applicant's Social Security Number matches his/her name, address, and Social Security Number. Conducting the Social Security Number Trace allows us to analyze the consent form and any other records provided to us by the client to determine if the applicant is being candid.

The consent form we provide to our clients asks the applicant to list the past seven years of residency. This is important because, it allows us to match what the applicant provided on the consent form to what we find when we conduct a Social Security Number Trace. When we conduct the Social Security Number Trace it gives us the applicant’s past residence history on file. This allows us the opportunity to try and determine if the applicant is being candid. In addition, it provides us the opportunity to search any additional states of residence for criminal records, if not listed by the applicant. In some cases, the applicant may not list a former state of residence because they do not want you to check their criminal history, or other state related records.

We recommend that every client choose to obtain a Social Security Number Trace.