The DDS Social Security Trace does not gather information through the Social Security Administration. Instead, it gathers information from several separate entities that a person would have had to list their name and SSN number on. The trace report includes: the person’s name, corresponding SSN, other names used with that SSN, current and prior addresses associated with the SSN.

Why is the Social Security Trace so important?
The Social Security Trace has been the foundation for comprehensive background checks for a very long time. The significance of it is due to the information that it provides which becomes a guide for other searches. 

As an example, a Criminal Record Check is searched by cross referencing an exact name and Date of Birth. If the subject has an alias name that they were convicted under, but you didn’t have any information of that alias, you would never request a criminal check under that name. Because the Trace also lists current and prior addresses, you know the location to request the Criminal Record Search as well.

This is also information that can be used to cross reference the subject’s application or resume!

Social Security Number Verification via Social Security Administration :

Social Security Number verifications through the Social Security Administration is valid for employers after a hire. The employer must call a special department, give their company name, EIN number and possibly other identifying information. The employer then spells the subject’s name as it appears on their employment records and gives the corresponding SSN. If the name and SSN match, the SSA representative will confirm the match. If the name and SSN don’t match, they will not indicate that the two pieces of information don’t correspond. Instead, they will recommend that the employee visit the nearest Social Security Administration office.