Is it safe to give your social security number for a background check

If you use the criminal background check products offered by backgroundchecks.com, you will notice we request the Social Security Number of the person you want to screen. We often hear the question, “Can I run a background check without a social security number?” Customers wonder if they can run reliable background checks even if they only have certain pieces of information about a person.

With our background check products, the answer is no. We require SSN information because it allows us to provide superior background check results for our customers.

Technically, criminal records are not tied to Social Security Numbers. Criminal records, unlike SSNs, are part of the public record, which means they are typically filed based on  name . Even though criminal records are not tied to Social Security Numbers, however, there are significant benefits to including an SSN in a background search. If someone has been convicted of assault, that record might not be linked with their Social Security Number. However, that person’s address history and alias history is linked with their Social Security Number. Including the SSN as part of the background check can give you more information about the person you are screening.

Let’s say the person in question—someone with an assault conviction—is applying for a job with your business under a false name. If you ran a name-based check, you would likely never find that person’s conviction history. If you  ran  a background check that included their Social Security Number, you’d be able to find a list of names and addresses associated with that SSN. You could then order additional checks for the candidate—both for the other aliases you found and in the counties where the candidate used to live—to widen the scope of the search and find the conviction.

A background check without a Social Security Number can lead to a less thorough screening than one with an SSN. To achieve dependable results, backgroundchecks.com requires Social Security Numbers for every criminal background check we do.

Explore address and alias history with backgroundchecks.com’s US AliasSEARCH service.

Is it safe to give your social security number for a background check

Credit Reports

A common question we often hear is how to get a background screening without a social security number. Most property managers, landlords and homeowner associations want a credit report included when screening buyers and renters. It’s a sensible choice since credit reports include so much information. Credit reports include personal identification, trade lines with payment history, credit inquiries, public records and collections. (It should be noted that the credit bureaus will soon exclude tax liens and some civil debts from their reports.) Credit reports can also include a credit score. No doubt, credit reports are a great tool with a lot of pertinent financial information.

Most often, the 3 major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax and Transunion) require a valid social security number (SSN) to search an applicant’s credit history. Without the SSN, the report may not provide any information, partial or inaccurate information, or simply return an error when processed.

Individual Tax Identification Number

What if the applicant provides an ITIN instead of the SSN on the application? If an applicant used an Individual Tax Identification Number(ITIN) to apply for credit or a loan, those tradelines may become part of the applicant’s credit history. However, without a SSN, most often, the credit bureaus will not recognize the ITIN and no records will be reported.

The ITIN is issued for tax purposes and was not meant to facilitate private commerce. ITIN’s are granted to individuals who are not qualified to receive a SSN. Some landlords or property managers include an ITIN in a credit report request without realizing it is not a SSN. Both the SSN and ITIN include 9 digits. However, an ITIN begins with the number “9”. SSN’s do not begin with “9.”

But what if the applicant does not have a SSN? How can you get a background screening without a social security number? Here is the good news.

Criminal Background Checks

Criminal background checks do not require a SSN. They are searched by name, date of birth and address. If the applicant has a SSN, it is best used to help properly identify the applicant before the searches are run. But the SSN is not required for a criminal records search.  Criminal records can be reported without the SSN.

You can receive information about the applicant’s financial history through a bankruptcy, lien and judgment search. If the applicant did not pay income tax, was sued and lost in court for non-payment of rent or credit, the court will issue a judgment in favor of the government, creditor, lender or collector. Those records will appear in a search. You will not see the applicant’s history of credit card payment but you will see their negative financial history. Bankruptcy, liens and judgments are big events in someone’s financial history. These civil searches are more revealing than their payment history on a credit card. So even if your applicant does not have a SSN, you can still do your due diligence and receive reporting on their financial condition.

How to get a Background Screening without a Social Security Number

Applycheckprovides screening packages matching the backgrounds of buyers and renters, no matter where they are from or where they live. We provide a solution for every applicant. If an applicant does not have a SSN, use our Basic Plus No SSN package which includes Nationwide Criminal, US Sex Offender, FBI/US Marshall lists, Terrorist/OFAC and Bankruptcy, Liens and Judgments and an Eviction search.

Is it safe to give your Social Security number?

The Social Security Administration protects your Social Security number and keeps your records confidential. We don't give your number to anyone, except when authorized by law. You should be careful about sharing your number, even when you're asked for it.

When should you give your social security number?

You'll need to share it if you have an investment adviser or are engaging in a cash transaction of $10,000 or more -- like buying a car or house. Government agencies that provide benefits can also request your number, including the US Department of Labor and state agencies that administer Medicaid.