How to Perform Background Checks With Social Security Information
We can never be too careful about whom we allow into our lives. Fortunately, the Internet has made it easier to do background checks--especially if you have a person's Social Security number. If you are interested in hiring a maid or a nanny, but want to make sure it is safe to have the person around your children, you can do a check in about 15 minutes.
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Instructions
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Visit the government's Social Security Authority website at SSA.gov. Although it won't give you much information about the person, it will allow you to verify whether the number is real. Once at the site, look on the left-hand side and click on "Business Services Online." There you will find a link for the Social Security Number Verification Services (SSNVS) handbook. Click on this link and it will lead you to a small e-book detailing how to verify a Social Security number for a potential employee.
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Visit the Social Security Records website (See Resource 1). While this site is not affiliated with the U.S. government, it does keep a database full of people and their Social Security numbers. Type in a Social Security number and the person's last name, and you will get results. Depending on your needs, a fee of about $9.95 to $30 will apply as of 2009. The site also contains sample reports of information it returns. Examples include: Current address, phone number, address history, relatives and associates, criminal records, death index, property ownership or a list of relatives with addresses.
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Use a people search engine. These sites usually include searches by name, Social Security number, phone number and full background check. It may give you free information such as a person's name and the names of family members. To get more detailed information, you may have to pay a fee.
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Tips & Warnings
Beware of scams. Background searches could open an opportunity for some providers to manipulate or misuse information. Find a service that offers a money-back guarantee in case what you get is not what you were looking for.
