The applicant’s social security number is traced through a vast resource of more than 400 data sources including the national credit bureaus. This extremely useful tool is imperative in uncovering any additional names, aliases or addresses that the applicant may have utilized, but chose not to reveal during the application process. Furthermore, when combined with a criminal history, the social security trace is invaluable in making sure all known names and jurisdictions are encompassed while conducting the search.
Secondly, the trace will validate the year and state in which the Social Security Administration issued the number. This information can be useful in uncovering potentially fraudulent social security numbers.
