“TruView Enhanced”: Consent-Based Social Security Number Verification

Many employers have misconceptions about the Social Security Number Trace (or SSN Trace). While the SSN Trace is an essential component—indeed, the starting point—of any pre-employment background check, it is important to understand that the SSN Trace can tell you that number you are tracing is a valid number in the Social Security Administration (SSA) system, but it does not verify who that number belongs to. The SSN Trace is a validation, not a verification, and that is an important distinction.

The SSN Trace generates a report listing any addresses, as well as any aliases, linked to the specific SSN provided by the applicant; the source for this data is compiled using credit headers from all three credit bureaus, along with other third-party sources such as change of address submissions, magazine subscriptions, telephone directories, online contest entries, and many other sources. This data may yield additional names, variations, or aliases; current and previous addresses the subject is presumed to have used over the past seven to 10 years; date or year of birth; possible family associations; phone numbers; and—if the number was issued before June 2011—the state and time frame in which the number was issued. The SSN Trace will help the research analyst identify additional information not disclosed by the individual and identify  in what jurisdictions to perform criminal and civil court search for any action naming the applicant.

June 2011 is important in that it was when the Social Security Administration changed the way SSNs are issued to protect integrity and extend the sustainability of the nine-digit numbering system. Called “randomization,” the new method eliminates the significance of the first five digits, which can be used to ascertain where and the time frame in which the SSN was issued. Prior to this date, one was able to determine where and when a Social Security Number was issued. However, once randomization took effect, this validation was no longer available.

Unfortunately, there is a robust trade in false identities. Individuals who don’t have the right to work in the U.S. or have unfavorable backgrounds can and do obtain SSNs that belong to other people. An SSN trace alone is usually insufficient to reveal if the SSN belongs to the applicant, unless it returns either no information or information that is completely different from other background information provided by the applicant. Either result is an immediate red flag. If an SSN trace reveals residences different from those provided by the applicant, the research analyst can search the criminal and civil courts in those jurisdictions for any action naming the applicant, potentially uncovering issues relevant to the hiring decision.

To help determine if an applicant-provided SSN is not tied to that individual, and to counter SSN randomization in SSN numbers created after June 2011, a background screener can conduct what is known as a Consent-Based Social Security Number Verification, or CBSV. The CBSV program enables enrolled companies to verify whether an individual’s name, date of birth, current address, and SSN match the records held by the SSA. The verification is conducted with the signed consent of the individual, in accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974. Employers submit the individual’s information to an approved CBSV such as TruView provider, who in turn submits it to the SSA for verification.

The SSA responds with one of three possible results:

• Match — the data provided matches SSA records.
• No Match — the data does not match SSA records.
• Deceased — the SSN holder is reported as deceased.

Why Use CBSV ?

• Combat Identity Fraud and Resume Misrepresentation: The rise in employment-related identity fraud, including the use of fabricated or stolen SSNs, presents serious risks for organizations. CBSV directly validates the SSN against SSA records, making it one of the most reliable tools for detecting identity anomalies early in the hiring process.
• Enhance Regulatory Compliance: Industries regulated by federal agencies — such as healthcare, financial services, and government contracting — often require stringent identity verification measures. CBSV helps employers demonstrate due diligence in complying with identity verification and employment eligibility requirements, reducing exposure to compliance violations and penalties.
• Ensure Workforce Integrity in Sensitive Roles: For positions involving access to sensitive data, financial systems, or vulnerable populations, verifying the authenticity of an employee’s identity is essential. CBSV offers a definitive check against official government records, providing added assurance to employers and their clients.
• Limit Legal and Financial Liability: Employing individuals with falsified identities or credentials can lead to legal challenges, financial losses, and damage to organizational reputation. By integrating CBSV into the background screening process, employers can proactively mitigate these risks.

The CBSV is an important tool in your background screening toolbox. We recommend it as a cost-effective option among TruView’s customized, enhanced background screening services, adding additional protection and peace of mind for any new hire program.