What Information Does The Number Not Provide
Most significantly, and perhaps surprisingly, criminal records are not tied to SSNs. An individuals criminal charge may or may not include their SSN, so a clean criminal record check using SSN alone is not particularly meaningful. Its a start, but its by no means the whole story. However, using information gleaned from an SSN check that includes names and aliases as well as former addresses, skilled background screeners can search criminal records databases to find evidence of an individuals criminal history. So, while your SSN by itself will not reveal a criminal history, its nonetheless very difficult to run a thorough criminal background check without the additional information provided by a thorough SSN trace.
How To Match A Social Security Number With A Name
Social security numbers can be matched with a name by using an FCRA approved background check or approved credit check. Social security numbers are issued by the Social Security Administration and have become the main identifier for US taxation and other official purposes. SSNs are used as a way of verifying identity for things like background checks, tenancy, bank loans, and credit purposes. There are only select authorized purposes for requesting this information and they almost always require the approval of the person being researched.
What Is A Social Security Number
The term Social Security number refers to a numerical identifier assigned to U.S. citizens and other residents to track income and determine benefits.
The SSN was created in 1936 as part of The New Deal to provide for retirement and disability benefits. The original intention of the SSN was to track earnings and provide benefits. Now, it is used for additional purposes, such as identifying individuals for tax purposes and tracking credit reports.
Individuals in the U.S. are asked to provide their SSN to obtain credit, open bank accounts, obtain government benefits, make major purchases, and more.
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Is A Social Security Number Public Information
Social Security Numbers are not public information, but it was not originally meant to be sensitive information. The SSN was intended solely for the purpose of the administration social security benefits. However, social security numbers eventually became a personal identification number for official purposes such as credit, employment, and other legal matters.
The growing use of social security numbers beyond the original US Government purpose led to it becoming something that needs to be kept private. However, an SSN lookup can still reveal certain information such as what state the SSN was issued in and the year that it was issued.
What Is An Ssn Tracker
An SSN tracker is a service provided by companies to protect you from identity theft. If you are signed up for the SSN tracker service and there are threats to your identity, you will be notified and may even be eligible for stolen funds reimbursement. Information monitored includes publication of your information on the dark web, changes in your credit, crimes committed in your name, data breaches involving companies you have purchased from in the past, home title monitoring, bank/investment accounts opened with your SSN, etc. You may also receive additional services protecting your identity when youre online, such as a VPN account and other privacy monitors.
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Can You Look Up Someone By Their Social Security Number
If youre interested in finding someone and checking criminal records and other public records using a social security number, you can discreetly run a background check online.
In fact, you dont even need to use an SSN almost all the available public records in our SSN search have been compiled and sorted so that you can search with just a name and last known city and state.
As youll see, the preview results can be helpful to ensure youve got the right person and get an idea of the information thats available its quick, free, and might give you enough information for further searching. If you decide you want to dig deeper, you can get reports starting from about $10 not free, but its instant and thorough.
There are also options for unlimited searches for one low rate, so if youre doing a lot of research, the cost per search can drop significantly. In fact, this is exactly what many private investigators do .
Proof Of Social Security Number
Couples wanting to obtain a marriage license should access the Register of Deeds Online Marriage License application and instructions
- Applicants without a Social Security Number – Learn more here
Identification Accepted for Proof of Social Security Number
Applicants’ full Social Security Number must be displayed on documents or identification.
- Social Security Card
- Income Tax Return/W-2 Form
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You Can Request Your Card Online Today
Sign in or create an account to submit your request
You can replace your card online and receive it in 14 days. You can also use your account to check the status of your request and manage other benefits you receive from us.
Trouble signing in?
Start the application online and visit your local SSA office for additional guidance for completing your application.
Prefer to talk to someone?
Contact your local SSA office.
You can start your Social Security number card application online. Once you’ve submitted your request, visit your local SSA office for additional guidance for completing your application. You will need to give us some of the information you provided again.
How To Search For People Using Their Social Security Number
If youre trying to search for someone by their social security number, read this page first. It will help you perform an SSN search for free, check SSN validity, or perform an SSN search with a number.
We also discuss how to run a social security number search by name to give you the greatest chance of finding someone quickly.
Before we dive into running an SSN background search, lets look at what a social security number is, and what its used for:
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What Are The Limitations Of An Ssn Validator
The USA Trace SSN Verification tool and other tools like it do not match a social security number with a name. They only confirm that a particular SSN is valid. Social security number issue dates are not exact and sometimes give a year range rather than exact year of birth. Persons born overseas or who became US citizens later in life will also not have received their number at birth. Regarding the state of issue, a US person born overseas would be issued an SSN from a state corresponding to a parent.
Free SSN verifications cannot be used for official purposes. If youre an employer or landlord, you cannot use the information from a free SSN validation for employment or renting decisions. Likewise, instant social security number validations cant be used for credit/lending decisions. A verification will not help you find someone with a social security number nor do they provide you with any other background check information. There is also no way to perform a social security lookup .
How To Protect Your Ssn
Since a lost or stolen SSN number can cause so much damage to your finances, you should always do everything possible to protect it. First, you should keep your Social Security card in a safe place and only carry it with you when absolutely necessary. Do not keep it in your wallet and carry it all the time because that greatly increases the odds that it will be lost. Also, be very mindful of phishing scams so that you do not inadvertently give your information to a thief.
Keep a close eye on your credit report. If you notice anything suspicious or see accounts listed that you did not open, then you should take immediate action. Go ahead and place a fraud alert with the credit bureaus Experian, Equifax, and Transunion. You might even consider placing a freeze on your SSN so that no one has access to your credit file. Depending on the severity of the situation, you might consider seeking legal advice for the proper way to handle the situation.
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How To Find Your Social Security Number
Social Security numbers have become one of the main pieces of identification used in the United States. The Social Security Administration manages the issuance and governance of these numbers. There are many times when you might need to know your SSN such as starting a new job, applying for a loan, or applying for Social Security benefits. Sometimes you are required to present your Social Security card as well, but often simply knowing your number is enough. So, what happens if you forget your number and do not have access to your card? You are probably scratching your head and wondering, What is my Social Security number? There are some ways that you can find out your Social Security number and even get a replacement card, but you will have to go through the proper steps to verify your identity. If you find yourself needing your SSN, but you cannot find it, then keep reading to learn how to find your Social Security number.
What Should You Do If Your Social Security Number Is Stolen
Identity thieves are everywhere. Contact the Social Security Administration if you suspect that your number is stolen. The agency can help fix problems related to income. If you have problems with your credit, you must contact your financial institution and the credit reporting agencies . You can also file complaints with IdentityTheft.gov, the Internal Revenue Service, and the Internet Crime Center to report any suspicious activity.
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How Can I Find Out If Someone Is Using My Social Security Number
There’s no easy way to check and see whether your Social Security number has been compromised. Many people don’t find out until it’s too late. However, there are a few ways you can keep up-to-date with any unusual activity that may be related to someone else using it. You can monitor your credit reports and bank accounts, verify your income with the Social Security Administration, and request tax transcripts with the IRS.
How Do You Search For A Person
Searching for a person can be as easy as a Google search or as difficult as hiring a legal professional. If time is a factor and you have an approved reason for searching for someone, a lawyer will have access to the most information available. Otherwise, its best to start with a Google search, followed by a social media search . The more information you have about a person , the easier your search will be. If youre able to find a close friend or relative of the person youre searching for online, try contacting them first before moving onto paid services.
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Finding Your Social Security Number
If you find yourself thinking, What is my SSN, then one of the easiest ways to find it is by looking on existing documentation that you may already have. Believe it or not, your Social Security number is listed on many documents that you might already have in your possession. It is a nine-digit number that will usually contain two hyphens. First, try and locate your Social Security card. Your number will be plainly displayed there. If you cannot find your card, there is still hope.
You can still try some of these other documents that are likely to have your number on them. Look for some of your old tax returns. Your number will be listed typically on the first page of your tax return. You can also check your W-2 from your employer and maybe even your bank statements. Both of these documents are common places to find your SSN listed. If you still have no luck, check your drivers license. While most states no longer display your SSN on your license, it is worth a look. If you have an immigrant visa, then your USCIS Forms are the next place you should look. SSNs are common on your visa paperwork, so you can often find your number there. If you are unable to find your number anywhere you look, then youll need to contact the SSA to start the process of getting a replacement Social Security card.
How Social Security Numbers Are Issued
Did you know? The Social Security Administration began assigning the nine-digit Social Security number in 1936 in order to track workers earnings over the course of their lifetimes to pay benefits.
The Social Security Administration changed the way they issue numbers back in June of 2011. The change is referred to as randomization and its goal is to help protect the integrity of the SSN.
The SSN has always been comprised of a three-digit area number, a two-digit group number and ending with a four-digit serial number. Since 1972, the SSA issued Social Security cards centrally and the area number reflected the state, determined by the ZIP code in the mailing address of the application.
Because that had limitations, the new randomization change affected the assignment process by eliminating geographical significance and importance of the highest group number.
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Types Of Social Security Cards
Four different classifications of Social Security cards are issued. Such cards are issued by geographic location to:
There are two restricted types of Social Security cards:
- One reads “not valid for employment.” Such cards cannot be used as proof of work authorization, and are not acceptable as a List C document on the I-9 form.
- The other reads “valid for work only with DHS authorization”, or the older, “valid for work only with INS authorization.” These cards are issued to people who have temporary work authorization in the U.S from the Department of Homeland Security — the nation’s border agency. They can satisfy the I-9 requirement, if they are accompanied by a work authorization card.
The cards commonly display the cardholder’s name and number.
The new SSN card design utilizes both covert and overt security features created by the SSA and GPO design teams.
Expanding Uses Of The Ssn
The original purpose of the SSN was to enable the Social Security Board to maintain accurate records of the earnings of individuals who worked in jobs covered under the Social Security program. The card was never intended to serve as a personal identification documentthat is, it does not establish that the person presenting the card is actually the person whose name and SSN appear on the card. Although SSA has made the card counterfeit-resistant, the card does not contain information that would allow it to be used as proof of identity. However, the simplicity and efficiency of using a unique number that most people already possess has encouraged widespread use of the SSN by both government agencies and private enterprises, especially as they have adapted their recordkeeping and business systems to automated data processing. Use of the SSN as a convenient means of identifying people in large systems of records has increased over the years and its expanded use appears to be an enduring trend. Generally, there are no restrictions in federal law precluding the use of the SSN by the private sector, so businesses may ask individuals for an SSN whenever they wish .
With the many purposes legally requiring an SSN, the need for a U.S. resident to possess one has become nearly universal. The universality of SSN ownership has in turn led to the SSN’s adoption by private industry as a unique identifier.
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What To Do If Your Ssn Is Stolen
If you discover that your Social Security number is being used by someone else or if you lose your card, there are steps you should consider taking immediately.
- Contact the to make sure they are aware of the issue have a security or fraud alert attached to your credit report.
- Contact the Social Security Administration to notify it of fraudulent use of your number, or the potential for it. If you lost your card, discuss the process to replace it.
- File a police report on an actual theft of your card or use of your number.
- Monitor your credit reports for any unauthorized use of existing credit accounts or the unauthorized opening of new accounts.
What Can I Do With An Ssn Validation
An SSN Validation is useful for determining if a particular SSN is likely to have been issued by the Social Security Administration. The structure of social security numbers was normal and predictable until 2011. States were given a number range to work and the year of issue fills in another part of the SSN. The year of issue is usually the year of birth, so a social security validation might also help to verify someones age.
If you cant remember your own social security number , an SSN verification tool may be able to help. Similarly, if you have a few social security numbers written down for different family members such as parents or grandparents and youre not sure which one is which, the issuance year given from a social security validation can help.
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