Match SSN and Last Name: 7 SSN Lookup and Verification Services via Searchbug
Jul
12

Match SSN and Last Name: 7 SSN Lookup and Verification Services

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If you need to match SSN and last name, there are a few different routes you can take. The tool you need depends on what information you need returned or verified and who you are. Access to certain information is restricted unless you can prove that you are authorized to access it. 

Social security number (SSN) searches are the most accurate ways to people search and verify SSN information. 

You might need to locate an SSN to issue a 1099 during tax season, file court paperwork or lawsuit, locate someone for collection on a debt, track down back child support, or investigate fraud. Use SSN search to get information regarding bankruptcy or liens or to conduct judgment searches. You might also need to find an SSN to conduct a skip trace or professional people search.

In this article, we’ll cover each service, its purpose, process, requirements for accessing the data, and more. The information is out there. Searchbug can help you get it.

Why Verify SSN Information?

As we listed above, you might need to verify SSN information for legal reasons. But if you’re an employer, you might need to verify new hires or employees on your payroll. SSN verification results in more accurate wage reports.

You need correct names and SSNs on W-2 wage reports to successfully process your annual wage report. This allows the Social Security Administration (SSA) to give the proper credit to your employees’ earnings record. This information is important in determining their SSA benefits in the future.

If you don’t use an online service to verify SSN information, the alternative is submitting requests via paper listings or using SSA’s telephone verification. So it’s faster and easier to use an online service. It saves on processing costs and reduces the number of W2c’s.

Your subject (the person you are searching for or verifying) might not have a matching SSN and name if he or she did not alert SSA of a legal name change. This includes instances of marriage, divorce, court order, and any other reason your subject might have had a legal name change.

Next, we cover 7 different ways you can get the information you need depending on your particular situation.

1. Match SSN and Last Name

The match SSN and last name tool is the most basic option for verifying that an SSN matches the person who provided it. You might need to match SSN and last name if you run a business and need to verify employees, customers, clients, or anyone receiving a 1099 from you.

All you have to do is enter the person’s 9-digit SSN and last name. Then search. The tool will also search for similar names. For example, if you enter “Gonzalez” but the spelling should be “Gonzales,” the information can still be verified. 

When you get your report, it will show whether the information entered matches or not. If it does match, the report will show 

  • names and aliases associated with the SSN
  • recorded date of birth
  • cities lived in
  • SSN status (active or deceased)
  • when and where the SSN was issued

The information comes from public records and SSN databases, so you can be sure the data is accurate. 

It only costs $2.50—or 250 Search Tokens ($T)—to conduct a search! There is no charge if the SSN is invalid, and you only pay $0.50 or 50 $T if the search cannot be confirmed.

You do, however, need a business account to use this search. Register for a free business account with Searchbug to access regulated data such as SSN information.

Benefits of a Free Searchbug Business Account 

There are many benefits of a Searchbug business account. First, a Searchbug business account provides access to tools not available with a personal account. SSN verification services provide sensitive data and therefore are not accessible to personal account holders. 

Furthermore, you are not limited to card payments. Non-credit card payment options are available to qualified businesses. Flexible payment options include credit cards, checks, and wire transfers. Invoice billing is available for high volume accounts, government accounts, and publicly traded companies.

You can also add multiple users under the same account who will have access to the data. Individual usage is tracked, and you can designate an administrator from your company to manage multiple user accounts. This includes detailed billing and usage reports on a per user basis. 

How to Create a Free Searchbug Business Account

To create a Searchbug business account, you will need to provide your first name, last name, and email address. Then you will need to create a password. However, if you choose to create your account using Google, Facebook, or LinkedIn, you don’t need to establish a new password. You will just login with your Google, Facebook, or LinkedIn credentials once your registration is complete.

We guarantee your personal account information is kept private and secure. It will never be shared or sold. If you link a Google, Facebook, or LinkedIn account, only your name and email address will be sent to Searchbug. No other details are shared with us.

It is free to create a Searchbug business account, but registration will require a manual review and verbal verification via phone. Upon verification, your account will be activated the same day or next business day.

It’s fast, easy, and secure!

2. SSN and Name Match

What is SSN and Name Match?

This search is very similar to the instant SSN and last name match search. The SSN and last name search is an alternative to eVerify. Like the instant SSN and last name match, eVerify SSN and name match determines if the SSN and name combination you have match. However, with this search, a professional researcher reviews your results to ensure accuracy.

This service is useful if you don’t have the exact spelling of your subject’s name. Maybe it’s difficult to spell, paperwork is illegible, or there are multiple potential spellings of the name. In these cases, a professional review increases your chances of proper verification. 

How to Search

To search, enter the 9-digit SSN and last name. Select a valid reason for your search or inquiry from the dropdown box. Reasons include judgment recovery, asset location for debt, bad loan, collection on bad check, or back child support. If you are searching for another legal reason, just specify the reason in the comments box.

Use the best spelling possible of the last name. With this search, if the spelling of the name is not exact or a close match, the report will show as “Does not Match.” If this is the case, and we think you may have misspelled the last name or there is a possible alternate spelling, you may be contacted prior to the report being posted.

If the information you provide matches, your report will include

  • All names associated with the SSN that match last name provided; this search also includes all found name variations (aliases)
  • Date or year of birth (when available)
  • cities lived in (includes cities and states found where SSN and names were reported)
  • SSN status (includes death records search, state of issuance, and approximate date issued)

This search does NOT include address information.

If the SSN does not match the last name provided, your report will simply state “SSN Does NOT Match Name.” In cases where it appears there could be an alternate spelling of the last name, you will be sent a secure message and be notified to login via email to respond prior to results being posted.

This search costs $9.97. However, if no information returns or information cannot be verified, you will receive a refund of $7. Turnaround time for results is typically 1 business day.

3. Reverse SSN Search

For a reverse SSN search, provide your subject’s 9-digit SSN. The last name is optional, but if you don’t have it or if the name does not match records found, you will be required to upload additional supporting documentation. Then, select a reason for your search from the dropdown box. 

You can include any other comments or information to assist the investigator assigned to your search. This could include information about your case, whether there are special circumstances about the spelling of the name, or if there are multiple last names or hyphenated names that might be found associated with the SSN.

Once your order is placed, you will be able to either upload documents or fax them to us after you order. Valid documentation can include any one or more of the following:

  • A notarized affidavit of facts from an attorney
  • A copy of a bad debt (past due loans), judgments, or any official court paperwork
  • Front and back of a cashed check for employers requesting info for 1099 tax purposes 
  • Document to back up claims to a civil or criminal investigation
  • A signed contract between the parties

Keep in mind that an SSN cannot usually be researched for individuals under 21 years old.

If the investigator is able to locate information, the report will include the subject’s address history, phone numbers, aliases, and death records. The cost is $39.97 for located information. If no information is found, there is a $29.97 refund. 

Results, when available, include

  • Last reported address (not necessarily the current address)
  • Previous address history up to 10 years
  • Any phone numbers
  • Aliases
  • Death records search

Average turnaround time for results is 2 business days.

4. Find SSN from Name and Address

Use the find SSN from name and address search if you need to find the SSN for a person. Just enter the subject’s name and address and select the reason for the search from the dropdown box. 

The search is conducted using several proprietary systems to accurately locate the SSN of your subject. The SSA does not provide this information. 

You may not request SSN information on government officials or celebrities without a court order. Investigators cannot obtain SSN information on minors, recently issued SSNs (a recent immigrant or child), illegal immigrants, someone using a work visa, or a deceased individual.

Just like the reverse SSN search, you will be required to submit supporting documentation upon placing this order.

Furthermore, adding any additional details that you can—such as special circumstances regarding the spelling or formatting of the name—can help your assigned investigator understand your case. Providing a date of birth or other information to help identify your subject is useful as well.

Results include the subject’s SSN, name and address if different than what you provided, and date of birth if available. Turnaround time for results is typically up to five business days.

The cost of this search is $57 with a no-info refund of $40. Do not submit requests on celebrities, public officials, law enforcement officers, judges, members of armed forces, or anyone employed by the county, state or federal government. If you do, your full fee may be forfeited.

5. Reverse SSN Lookup

The reverse SSN lookup allows you to verify SSN, locate name, aliases, address, and possible phone numbers associated with a valid SSN. This tool also works to verify an SSN in your database or on an employment application to make sure it actually belongs to the right person.

Results typically include full name and aliases associated with the SSN, date of birth, relatives, current and previous addresses, and phone numbers. Some records include email addresses. Not all information is available for all records.

Information comes from public records and SSN databases. The cost of this search is $2.50 or 250 $T, $0.95 or 95 $T if no results turn up, and no charge for invalid or deceased person’s SSN. However, you will need a professional account to access this restricted data.

Benefits of a Professional Searchbug Account

You might qualify for a professional business account if you work in financial services, collections, insurance, real estate, law enforcement, investigations, or other similar industries. We encourage any business to apply. 

A professional business account allows you to request access to private regulated data sources not available to the general public. You might need access to this data to increase the success rate of a skip trace, to prevent fraud, and to help make better decisions in hiring and tenant screening. 

Services like the skip trace search (more on this below) and reverse SSN lookup access restricted data. Restricted means it contains non-public personal information regulated by federal and state privacy acts (FCRA, GLBA, DPPA, etc.), so you have to have permission to access and use it.

How to Apply for a Professional Searchbug Account

To apply for a professional business account, first create a free Searchbug business account. Then complete the online application. There is a $147 application fee that covers processing, verification, and an on-site office survey. After the application fee, you only pay per order; there are no monthly minimums or long-term commitments.

Collect supporting documentation such as articles of incorporation, business license, phone bill, EIN number, business directory listing, etc. as applicable. Print and send us the application package including application, service agreement, and supporting documentation.

Once we receive your application package, we will review and verify your business. Since your access to regulated data may include personal data such as social security numbers, validation and site survey are required to ensure FCRA compliance. The data cannot be released to just anyone! The review includes

  • Validation of submitted information
  • A visit to your office (site survey) to visually validate your business and computer security
  • Background checks (exception: publicly traded companies)

You will be notified by our office with the results of your validation. Then you can begin accessing restricted data! Turnaround time for validation, processing, and site survey is typically 1 to 2 weeks depending on where the office is located. Once verified, you only pay per order as needed.

6. SSN Check and Validator

Free Online SSN Validator Tools

You might be able to find free SSN validator tools online, but they won’t be very accurate. Prior to June 11, 2011 SSN validator algorithms used to be pretty accurate because the first three numbers used to indicate what state the number had been issued in. Furthermore, the SSA used to produce lists of the highest numbers issued each month for each group of SSNs that had been assigned.

Therefore, algorithms were able to pretty accurately predict SSNs. However, after June 25, 2011 the SSA randomized SSN assignment and stopped publishing lists to enhance security. Now, SSN randomization makes it impossible for free SSN verification services to determine whether an SSN has been issued or not.

Searchbug’s SSN Validator

Searchbug’s SSN validator uses premium information systems that obtain actual information associated with real people. This service does not provide the name or address of anyone associated with the SSN. Use this tool for limited purposes to verify the SSN of current employees.

If you are a business needing to validate an entire database of SSNs, the SSA offers an official SSN verification service called Consent Based SSN Verification. The CBSV program has a one-time $5,000 sign up fee plus a fee per SSN verification. However, if you only need to validate a few hundred SSNs per month, you can use this SSN Validator.

Results include whether the SSN is valid or invalid. If valid, the report includes the state and year or year range when the SSN was issued. The report will also indicate whether the SSN is active, reserved for future use, or belongs to a deceased person. A death records check is included. If the SSN belongs to a deceased person, the death record includes the owner’s full name as well as date of birth and death date when available.

Information comes from the SSA records and death master file index. It only costs $0.50 or 50 $T to search, and you only need a free Searchbug business account to get access.

7. Professional Skip Trace

What is a Skip Trace?

Skip tracing is done to locate a subject whose contact information is not immediately known. Skip traces are typically conducted by a skip tracer, process server, debt collector, bail bondsman or bail agency enforcer (bounty hunter), witness location specialist, repossession agent, private investigator, lawyer, police detective, or journalist.

To get contact information for someone difficult to find or someone intentionally hiding, professionals need to access special private data. This private data is often regulated by federal or state guidelines and can only be accessed with a permissible purpose.

Searchbug partners with several such data providers and pays hefty monthly fees to access this data. Therefore, we are able to utilize economies of scale (i.e., lower the cost by increasing use) and offer our customers access to this same specialized data without any setup fees, monthly fees, or monthly minimums.

How to Conduct a Professional Skip Trace

Select Permissible Purpose

The Driver’s Privacy Protection Act of 1994 (DPPA)

To conduct a professional skip trace search with Searchbug, you first have to select your purpose. The Driver’s Privacy Protection Act of 1994 (DPPA) governs information concerning the following:

  • Normal course of business – used to verify the accuracy of personal information submitted by the individual to the business
  • Insurance activities – used by an insurer or insurance support organization in connection with claims investigation activities, anti-fraud activities, rating or underwriting claims investigation, rating or underwriting
  • Acting on behalf of government – used by a court, law enforcement agency, or other government agency or entity acting directly on behalf of a government agency
  • Civil, criminal, administrative – used in connection with a civil, criminal, administrative, or arbitral proceeding, including the service process, investigation in anticipation of litigation, the execution or enforcement of judgments, or compliance with orders of any court
  • Motor Vehicle Safety – used for any matter regarding motor vehicle or driver safety or theft; to inform an owner of a towed or impounded vehicle; or by an employer or insurer to obtain or verify information regarding a holder of a commercial driver’s license
  • Private investigator functions – used by a licensed private investigative agency or licensed security service for a purpose permitted in items above
The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA)

If none of those match your purpose, the information you need might be governed instead by the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA). These purposes include 

  • Consumer-authorized transactions – necessary to effect, administer, or enforce a transaction that was requested or authorized by the consumer or in connection with servicing a financial product or service requested or authorized by the consumer or servicing the consumer’s financial account, including collections of delinquent accounts
  • Law enforcement investigation – for law enforcement agencies and for an investigation on a matter related to public safety in accordance with the Right to Financial Privacy Act of 1978 (12 U.S.C. 3401 et seq.)
  • Acting on behalf of customer – for use by law firms and attorneys acting in a fiduciary capacity on behalf of a customer or by persons holding a legal or beneficial interest relating to the subject
  • Insurance activities – necessary to effect, administer, or enforce a transaction to underwrite insurance at the consumer’s request, as well as for reinsurance purposes or for the purposes related to the consumer’s insurance (e.g. account administration, reporting, claim processing)
  • Fraud prevention and detection – used to protect against or prevent actual or potential fraud, unauthorized transactions, claims, or other liability
  • Institutional risk control – used as required for institutional risk control or for resolving customer disputes or inquiries

Conduct One-Step or Two-Step Search

After you select your purpose for requesting access to the data, then search. Searching by SSN is the best search option. It results in the complete skip trace details in one step. 

If you do not have the subject’s SSN, you can search by full name and address or name and state. This information is necessary to conduct the search. Once the search is complete, you then need to order the skip trace details report, complete with SSN, for the individual(s) found based on the information you provide.

You can also search by address without a name to find current and previous residents as well as people associated with the address.

Skip trace search results typically include full name and aliases, known addresses and reported dates, date of birth, and SSN. Skip trace details report includes full name and aliases, date of birth, age, SSN, last known address and phone number, and previous addresses and phone numbers for current residents at previous addresses.

Report will also include, if available, name, phone number, and address of current neighbors for all reported addresses as well as name, phone number, address, age, and SSN of relatives and associates.

Information comes from specialized sources not available to the general public. Sources include credit bureau repositories, DMV records, utility records, and public records. The cost of a skip trace search by name or address is $5.50 or 550 $T ($1.95 or 195 $T if no results). And the skip trace details report is $14.00 or 1400 $T ($3.95 or 395 $T if no results).

People Search Has Never Been Easier

If you are a business owner or professional, you could be granted access to specialized regulated data. You just have to verify your position and provide a permissible purpose for your data request.

There are many different services that allow you to get various information for a subject. And there are many different ways to search. The service you need depends on what information you need to access, which type of account you have, why you need to access the data, and what information you already have.

The simplest and most basic search is the match SSN and last name service, but all of Searchbug’s people search services are simple, secure, and affordable. 

If you have any questions, message us from the website to chat with a representative, or contact us here. 

With updated, electronic databases, it’s never been easier to conduct a people search. Try one of Searchbug’s SSN lookup or verification services today!

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