When hiring new employees, conducting thorough background checks is crucial for protecting your business and ensuring a safe, trustworthy workplace. 

One of the foundational steps in this process is a SSN Trace - but what exactly is it and why is it so important?

What is an SSN Trace?

A SSN (Social Security Number) Trace is a type of background check that validates the SSN and history of a candidate's Social Security number. 

The key details typically revealed in SSN Trace data include:

• Year and state the SSN was issued.

• Other names/aliases tied to the number (including maiden names).

• Address history and movement patterns.

While it does not outright confirm someone's identity, a SSN Trace provides a pivotal screening step. 

It can uncover discrepancies, flag potential fraud, and identify jurisdictions where deeper criminal record searches may be warranted based on the candidate's geographical footprint.

How SSN Traces Work

A SSN Trace background check works by searching through a variety of data sources and repositories to uncover information tied to a specific Social Security number. These sources typically include:

Lending Institutions: Banks, credit unions, mortgage companies, etc. that may have loans or accounts associated with the SSN.

Utility Providers: Power, gas, and telecommunications companies where the SSN was used to establish service.

Credit Bureaus: The major credit reporting agencies like Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion maintain SSN data linked to credit reports.

Education Records: College, university, and other school registrations in connection with the SSN.

What can a SSN Trace find?

One of the most valuable components of a SSN Trace is the address history trace.

This trace provides a listing of past and current residential addresses linked to the Social Security Number being searched. 

This location intelligence can reveal moves, migration patterns, and key geographic areas to focus other record searches on.

In addition to the address listings, the SSN Trace will also uncover any other names, aliases, maiden names, or derivatives that have been associated with the inputted Social Security number during its existence.

Limitations of SSN Traces

While highly useful, it's important to understand that a SSN Trace background check does have some limitations, such as:

No Outright Identity Confirmation: A SSN Trace simply reveals data linked to the number, but cannot definitively confirm the identity of the individual it belongs to. Other verification steps are required.

Not a Pass/Fail: The results of a SSN Trace are informational in nature and do not provide a clear pass or fail outcome. Human interpretation is needed to assess if issues exist.

May Require Additional Verification: Depending on the findings, a SSN Trace may indicate the need for additional authentication steps like verification with the Social Security Administration (SSA) to resolve any uncertainties or discrepancies that surface.

Lack of Corroboration: On its own, SSN Trace data does not corroborate or validate the information provided. It relies on the candidate's self-reported inputs as the starting point for the search.  

No Criminal Record Check: Perhaps most crucially, SSN Trace data does not search any criminal record databases and cannot be used to satisfy employment requirements regarding an individual's potential criminal history.

While a SSN Trace is an invaluable first step, these limitations emphasize why it should be combined with additional screening components like identity authentication, criminal searches, and other verification practices when employing comprehensive background checks.

Introducing Origin™ - The Ultimate Identity Validation Solution

For employers seeking a higher level of investigative power and efficiency, a SSN Trace background check alone is just the start.

Origin™ is an advanced, all-in-one background screening solution that takes a SSN Trace to the next level.

Origin™ combines a SSN Trace background check with powerful criminal record searches and additional critical components, including:

• MultiJurisdictional Criminal Search (800+ million records).

• National Sex Offender Registry Search.

• Terrorism Watchlist Searches.

• A Database of 4.1+ Million Searchable Photos.

• Access to Prior Completed Report Data.

By kicking off each background investigation with Origin™'s SSN analysis, investigators establish a strong identification foundation. All associated names are then automatically run through the solution's immense criminal record databases spanning all 50 U.S. states and some federal territories.

This systematic, data-driven approach swiftly surfaces potential criminal history tied to any of the candidate's known names and aliases. 

It identifies high-risk jurisdictions for follow-up searches while eliminating unnecessary investigations through careful human vetting and policy compliance checks.

The Value of Origin™ for Employers

Leveraging Origin™ provides numerous invaluable benefits for companies committed to rigorous screening and mitigating workplace risks. It delivers unparalleled efficiency by providing instant access to consolidated data, saving substantial time and costs. 

Origin™ ensures proven accuracy through the involvement of trained investigators who meticulously review findings to prevent false positives. With its combination of premier identity verification and nationwide criminal monitoring, Origin™ offers truly comprehensive coverage that leaves no stone unturned. 

Compliance assurance is built right into the solution, ensuring adherence to important regulations like the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Perhaps most crucially, Origin™ enables robust fraud protection by quickly identifying potential discrepancies, identity theft, or other issues tied to a candidate's personal identifiers. 

For businesses prioritizing workplace safety and mitigating liability exposure, incorporating Origin™ as the foundation of background check programs is the best practice and dramatically elevates an employer's level of insightful identity intelligence and due diligence.

Don't settle for basic background checks that leave gaps. Safeguard your company with the power of Origin™'s fully integrated identity validation solution.