一些背景调查要求候选人提供他们的社会安全号码，而另一些则不需要。雇主是否应该在背景调查过程中始终尝试使用社会安全号码？与其他类型的背景调查相比，SSN 背景调查有什么好处？

在大多数情况下，雇主很容易在背景调查中使用社会安全号码，因为此信息通常由候选人作为工作申请的一部分提供。但是请注意，SSN 对于准确的犯罪背景调查并不一定必不可少。与某些人的看法相反，SSN 实际上与犯罪记录无关。犯罪记录是公共记录的一部分， 而 SSN 是私人和敏感的个人信息。没有犯罪记录仅与社会安全号码相关联，也不能仅根据 SSN 搜索任何犯罪记录。

由于这些因素，犯罪背景搜索基于姓名、指纹或其他识别信息（例如出生日期）进行。虽然更多的细节总是有助于确认调查结果，但不提供社会安全号码进行背景调查不会使犯罪搜查无效。

SSN 背景调查可以做的是提供对审查过程有用的额外识别信息。例如，假设您要 通过 GOOHO.CN订购 美国 AliasSEARCH检查。与犯罪搜查不同，此检查直接依赖于 SSN 信息：它根据社会保障管理局 (SSA) 的死亡主索引检查候选人的社会安全号码，并提取以前与 SSN 相关联的地址历史信息和别名（包括婚前姓名）。它还验证相关 SSN 的签发状态和日期。

出于以下几个原因，此信息可能很有用：

首先，根据 SSA 数据库检查社会安全号码有助于验证个人身份。如果候选人已经或正在进行身份盗窃，这种检查会发出危险信号。

其次，拥有别名或替代名称的列表对于进行彻底的犯罪背景调查很有用。由于犯罪记录与姓名有关，因此有人可以更改姓名以避免被背景调查标记。通过使用 SSN 查找该人的别名历史记录，您可以对旧姓名进行背景搜索并找到任何相关的犯罪活动。

最后，地址历史对于扩大背景调查的范围非常有帮助。大多数刑事定罪都是在县级提起的，这意味着县级刑事搜查是查找候选人犯罪历史的常见第一步。通过告诉您候选人过去住在哪里，SSN 背景调查可以告诉您在哪里订购额外的县搜索。这种策略通常是雇主将背景调查范围扩大到当地司法管辖区以外的一种有效且高效的方式。

In most cases, it is easy for employers to use Social Security Numbers in background checks, as this information is typically provided by a candidate as part of the job application. Do note, however, that an SSN is not necessarily essential for an accurate criminal background check. Contrary to what some people believe, SSNs are not actually associated with criminal records. Criminal records are part of the public record, while SSNs are private and sensitive personal information. No criminal record is only associated with a Social Security Number, nor is any criminal record searchable based on SSN alone.

Because of these factors, criminal background searches work based on name, fingerprint, or other identifying information—such as date of birth. While more detail is always helpful to confirm findings, not providing a Social Security Number for a background check won’t render a criminal search ineffective.

What an SSN background check can do is provide additional identifying information that can be useful for the vetting process. For instance, say you were to order a US AliasSEARCH check through backgroundchecks.com. Unlike criminal searches, this check relies directly on SSN information: it checks the candidate’s Social Security Number against the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) Death Master Index and pulls address history information and aliases (including maiden names) previously associated with the SSN. It also verifies the state and date of issuance for the SSN in question.

This information can be useful for several reasons:

First, checking a Social Security Number against SSA databases helps verify an individual’s identity. This kind of check can send up red flags if the candidate has committed or is committing identity theft.

Second, having a list of aliases or alternate names can be useful for conducting a thorough criminal background check. Since criminal records are associated with names, someone can change their name to attempt to avoid being flagged by a background check. By using an SSN to find that person’s alias history, you can conduct background searches of older names and find any associated criminal activity.

Finally, address histories can be extremely helpful in widening the scope of a background check. Most criminal convictions are filed at the county level, which means county criminal searches are a common first step to finding a candidate’s criminal history. By telling you where a candidate has lived in the past, an SSN background check can tell you where to order additional county searches. This strategy is often an effective and efficient way for an employer to expand the scope of a background check beyond local jurisdictions.