There are several ways you can go about looking for someone you are interested in, including name, phone number, email address, and home address searches, but one of the best, most precise methods of determining whether you have found the right person is doing a Social Security Number search. Checking someone’s SSN is what government agencies, banks, and businesses do when performing thorough background checks because it provides an almost endless list of information about the subject of the search. If you too wish to find out as much as possible about someone and you happen to have their Social Security Number, here is what you need to know. 

What Information Can You Get With An SSN Search

A Social Security Number is a unique 9-digit number issued to all US citizens by the federal Social Security Administration, enabling people access to all kinds of benefits. Considering that the SSN has become the main identifying number for US residents, performing an SSN search can reveal some of the following:

  • Full name
  • Date of birth
  • Known phone numbers
  • Address history
  • Email addresses
  • Birth and death records
  • Marriage history
  • Criminal records 
  • Mortgage and bank loan history
  • Property ownership 
  • And much more

SSN Search Through The Social Security Administration

Thanks to the Freedom of Information Act, individuals are allowed to use Social Security Numbers to obtain information about other individuals. If you wish to find someone or find out more about that person, you need to file an FOIA request through the Social Security Administration. If the individual you are interested in is deceased, the Social Security Administration will most likely deliver the information you have requested. However, if the individual you are looking for is alive, you will have to ask for their consent to access their private information. For business owners, the Social Security Administration provides a free online service, Social Security Number Verification Service, which enables users to match the name and the SSN of the employee against the Social Security Administration’s records. To access the Social Security Number Verification Service, you need to register, request access and an activation code, which is mailed to the employer, and log in to use the service. 

SSN Search Through A Background Check Company

A much easier way to find information about someone using their Social Security Number is to use a background check service. However, considering the sensitive nature of the information in question, make sure that the background check company you are using is legitimate and that it will not put anyone’s private information at risk. There are plenty of background check companies on the market, but few of them are reliable. Therefore, you should always do your research first and only use the services of a reputable, trustworthy online background check company like Direct Screening. With this company’s SSN check, you may not only be able to find the person you are looking for but get access to a wide variety of information including current and former addresses, known aliases, date of birth, age, phone number, criminal data, marriage history, and much more. Note that the majority of background check companies that perform the SSN search need to comply with the federal FCRA act. 

If you are still unsure of how to find someone by their Social Security Number or you are looking for other alternative methods, you may wish to consult with the Social Security Administration and learn what options you have available. An SSN search is most likely to help you get information about the person you are looking for, but it is of utmost importance to use reliable and credible resources when performing your search and handle the information you get with care.