What Is an SSN Trace? Everything You Need to Know About Social Security Number Background Checks

If you’ve ever run a criminal background check, chances are you’ve run a Social Security Number (SSN) trace—whether you realized it or not. It’s the first thing most screening providers do once you hit “order.” And for good reason.

Skipping an SSN trace in a background check is like trying to drive without a steering wheel. Sure, you might get somewhere, but that somewhere is probably into the side of a building.

An SSN trace makes sure the rest of the background check is looking in the right places for the right person. Here’s what it is and why it matters.

What is an SSN trace?

An SSN trace is the standard first step in making sure a background check actually does its job. It takes a candidate’s Social Security number (SSN), runs it through a massive database packed with information from sources like credit bureaus, utility records, and other public and private data sources.

Here’s what happens:

• The screening provider searches the database using only the SSN—no names, no addresses, just those nine digits.
• The database fires back with whatever details it can find linked to that SSN, potentially including:
  • Address history: Past places the candidate has lived.
  • Associated names: Former names, married names, or aliases.
  • SSN issue date: When the SSN was assigned.
  • And more: Enough to help paint a clearer picture of the person’s identity.

That information helps the provider know where to look for criminal records and can also flag potential fraud.

Each provider typically uses their own unique database to capture the details. But there’s also one trick providers can use to understand the date and location that the SSN was issued: the Social Security number itself.

Before 2011, the first three digits of an SSN were tied to the state where it was issued, and the rest of the digits followed a pattern based on the issue date. That meant screening providers could cross-check a person’s birth date and location against their SSN details to potentially catch fraud.

Since June 25, 2011, all new SSNs issued have been randomized, so that trick only works for candidates born before then. We’ll give more details on how this is—and isn’t—used to catch fraud.

When are SSN traces used?

An SSN trace is the standard backbone of a good criminal background check. They’re not typically run as standalone searches; instead, they act as the foundation of the entire screening process.

An SSN trace will be used:

• Anytime you order a criminal background check. If you’re screening someone for a job or volunteer position that requires a criminal history check, an SSN trace is usually the first step.
• By nearly every provider. Most screening providers include SSN traces by default because they know a background check without some type of pointer search is incomplete. Providers skipping them are likely willing to cut major corners.
• At the very beginning of the screening process. They’re built to support criminal background checks from the start. That’s why nearly every provider runs one before diving into court records.

If a provider isn’t using SSN traces or a similar check to start a criminal history check, they’re knowingly skipping over important information. Let’s look at why.

Why SSN traces are standard on every criminal history check

Without an SSN trace, a background check is working with incomplete information. That’s a problem because background checks aren’t magic—they rely on searching the right places for the right person. The SSN trace helps make sure that happens.

Here’s how:

1. It validates identity. If an SSN is fake or stolen, the trace can reveal inconsistencies—like a number that was issued before the candidate was born. That’s a major red flag.
2. It finds jurisdictions that might be missed. Criminal history is tied to where a person has lived. If a candidate leaves out an address, whether intentionally or not, an SSN trace can fill in the gaps so key locations aren’t skipped.
3. It catches name changes. If someone has used different names—due to marriage, legal changes, or other reasons—the SSN trace helps surface those names so all relevant records are checked with an alias search.

It’s one thing to say SSN traces prevent gaps and catch fraud, but let’s see how that plays out in actual screenings. So, let’s put it in real-world terms with some examples using pseudonymous names:

• Barb Dwyer left one of her past addresses off her background check. The SSN trace picked it up, leading to a search in that county—where a criminal record was found.
• Paige Turner changed her last name when she got married, but her SSN trace linked her to her maiden name, Paige Wright. That led to an alias search that found a record under her former name.
• Michael Mordis tried to use an SSN that wasn’t his. The trace flagged it because the number was issued before he was born and returned names that were not his. That stopped the check in its tracks.

In each of these cases, important criminal records or fraud would have been missed if the search didn’t start with an SSN trace.

SSN traces aren’t an extra step—they’re how providers make sure background checks work as intended. If your provider doesn’t use some type of pointer search to kick off a background check, that’s cutting corners, not cutting-edge.

Tips for saving on SSN traces

SSN traces are a standard part of a criminal background check, so you shouldn’t be paying extra for them. But some providers find ways to sneak in hidden fees. Here’s how to avoid overpaying and keep your background checks cost-effective:

1. Work with a provider that includes alias searches. Some providers charge extra to check criminal records under past names found in the SSN trace. That’s like charging extra for brakes on a car—it should already be included.
2. Watch out for hidden SSN trace fees. An SSN trace is a basic tool for running an effective background check. If a provider is tacking on an extra fee for it, they’re either nickel-and-diming you or skipping steps by default. Neither is a good sign.
3. Use Sequential Screening. Sequential Screening helps filter out fraudulent candidates early, before running more expensive checks. If an SSN trace flags an issue, you can stop the process before wasting money on additional searches.

Background checks are about finding the right information, not paying for unnecessary add-ons. A good provider will make sure SSN traces are part of the process without sneaky fees.

Frequently asked questions about SSN Traces

Does an SSN trace pull criminal records?

• No. An SSN trace doesn’t directly search for criminal records—it finds address history and names used by the candidate, which then help screening providers look in the right places for criminal history.

Can an SSN trace detect fraud?

• Yes. If an SSN trace returns someone else’s name or was issued before the candidate was born, that’s fraud. It won’t catch every case of fraud, but it can help prevent identity misuse.

Does an SSN trace verify identity?

• Not entirely. An SSN trace helps validate identity details—like whether an SSN matches a candidate’s name and address history—but it doesn’t guarantee the person is who they claim to be. If someone has stolen not only an SSN but also the associated name, address, and other details, the trace won’t catch that. There are separate tools designed specifically for identity verification.

Does an SSN trace verify work authorization?

• No. An SSN trace only helps validate identity details; it doesn’t check if someone is legally allowed to work in the U.S. That’s what I-9 verification is for.

How to get started with SSN traces

Start by choosing a Professional Background Screening Association (PBSA)-accredited provider. The PBSA sets industry standards, and an accredited provider is far more likely to follow best practices. That includes running SSN traces as part of a standard background check.

It’s also smart to ask how a provider structures their screening packages. Some bundle SSN traces and alias searches into their checks, while others treat them as add-ons. If there’s an extra charge to run an SSN trace, that’s a red flag. A well-built screening process should include it automatically.Want to make it simple (and save money while doing it)? Yardstik includes SSN traces as a standard part of every background check—no hidden fees, no missing pieces. Talk to us today to get started.