Top 5 SSN Lookup Services for Business Industries 

Social Security Numbers (SSNs) are unique identifiers for U.S. citizens and legal residents. For businesses, having accurate employee SSN data is a legal requirement. Employers must validate SSNs for payroll reporting, tax compliance, and to prevent fraud. Beyond employment, industries like collections, law, and finance also depend on SSN lookup services to verify identities or locate individuals.

This guide explains 5 SSN lookup services for businesses and industries. It also covers costs, compliance, and why using verified tools matters more than ever.

Why Businesses Need SSN Lookup Services for Compliance & Fraud Prevention

Using incorrect, fraudulent, or shared SSN information can create legal and financial risks. Employers who fail to validate SSNs may face penalties for inaccurate W-2 filings. Debt collectors or lawyers who rely on SSN data can waste resources chasing the wrong individual when inaccurate.

Fraud is another concern. Certain types of criminals often use stolen SSNs, including those belonging to deceased people or minors. It’s well known that certain individuals, as well as undocumented immigrants, commonly share an SSN of a family member or relative, which makes tracing the SSN to the original owner, if any, difficult.  A reliable SSN verification tool helps uncover multiple people using the same SSN and other issues before they cause damage.

Industries that commonly use SSN lookup services include:

• Employers — to verify workers and ensure W-2 reporting accuracy.
• Debt collectors — to track down hard-to-find individuals.
• Attorneys — to file court documents with correct identities.
• Tax professionals — to issue accurate 1099s.

Compliance Note: According to the SSA, SSN verification is strictly regulated. Businesses must use SSN data only for lawful purposes and within the scope of federal and state laws.

5 SSN Lookup Services You Can Use  

Here are five types of SSN lookup services, their uses, and what each one costs.

1. SSN Check and SSN Validator  

What it does:

• Confirms if an SSN is valid.
• Identifies whether the SSN belongs to a living or deceased individual.
• Provides state and year of issuance.

Important: An Account with SSN Verification Access is required.

Data source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and the Death Master File Index.

Use case: Employers verifying employees, HR teams processing new hires.

Cost: As low as $0.50 per search.

• Search Tokens ($T) are needed to pay.

Pros:

• Affordable for high volumes.
• Quick validation against SSA records.

Cons:

• Does not return personal details beyond issuance and status.

2. SSN and Name Match Verification  

What it does:

• Matches an SSN with a last name.
• Searchbug’s SSN and Name Match Verification search returns potentially linked aliases (can help detect a shared SSN) , dates of birth (if more than 1 DOB SSN could be fraud, shared, or just a false flag), Cities of Residence , Issue Date and State, plus a deceased status when available.

Important: Account with SSN Verification Access is required.

Data source: Public records and SSN databases.

Use case: Businesses issuing 1099s, verifying clients or customers.

Cost: 

• As low as $2.50 per search.

• $2.50 or 250 $T per report (match or no match).
• No charge if the SSN is invalid.
• If we cannot confirm a match/no-match, you are charged only $0.50 or 50 $T.
• Search Tokens ($T) are used for payment. New users receive 500 $T free with their first token purchase.

Pros:

• Helps ensure records match IRS requirements.
• Detects mismatches that could signal fraud.

Cons:

• Requires both SSN (full or last 4 digits) and last name to work.

3. Reverse SSN Lookup  

What it does:

• Finds name, address, phone, or email tied to an SSN.
• Our Reverse SSN Lookup service can also return past addresses and dates of birth to confirm identity records.

Important: An account with restricted access is required

Data source: Public records and commercial databases.

Use case: HR teams verifying applicants, business owners checking identity accuracy, Private Investigators, Bail Bonds, Debt Collection, and other valid businesses.

Cost:

• $2.50 or 250 $T ($0.95 or 95 $T, if no results).
• No charge for invalid or deceased person’s SSNs
• Search Tokens ($T) are needed to pay.
• If you never used Search Tokens before, your first results are free. Plus, new users are eligible to get 500 $T free with any Search Tokens purchase.

Pros:

• Provides a broader identity picture.
• Useful for fraud prevention.

Cons:

• Limited if SSN is inactive or misused.

4. Investigative Services  

What it does:

• Licensed investigators manually verify SSNs.
• Searches may include SSN and name matches, reverse SSN lookups, or tracing individuals from partial information such as name and address.

Data source: SSA records, public databases, and private investigator research.

Use case: Fraud investigations, debt recovery, or legal filings.

Cost: From $9.97 per search and higher depending on complexity.

• SSN and Name Match – $9.97
• Reverse SSN Search – $39.97; No Info Refund: $29.97
• Find SSN from Name and Address – $49.97; No Info Refund: $39.97

Pros:

• Highest accuracy.
• Results verified by licensed professionals.

Cons:

• More expensive than automated tools.
• Turnaround may not be instant.

5. Skip Tracing with SSNs  

What it does:

• Searchbug’s Skip Tracing service uses SSNs alongside DMV, credit bureau, and utility records to locate hard-to-find individuals.
• Often used to find people who are intentionally avoiding contact.

Important: Account with Restricted Access is required.

Factors affecting Skip Traces:

• Driver’s Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) 
• Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA)

Use case: Debt collectors locating borrowers, investigators working on fraud or missing person cases.

Cost:

• Skip Trace Search by Name or Address is $5.50 or 550 $T ($1.95 or 195 $T, if no results).
• Skip Trace Details Report is $14.00 or 1400 $T ($3.95 or 395 $T, if no results)

Note: Search Tokens are required for Skip Trace Search. You may use $T or a Pay-as-you-go account for a Skip Trace Details Report.

Pros:

• Highly effective in locating evasive individuals.
• Uses multiple regulated data sources.

Cons:

• Requires proof of a lawful purpose.
• Restricted to approved businesses and professionals.

How Much Does an SSN Lookup Cost?  

Pricing depends on the service type and level of detail needed.

Service	Cost	Use Case	Data Source
SSN Check & Validator	$0.50	Payroll & hiring	SSA records
SSN & Name Match	$2.50	1099 reporting, compliance	Proprietary Premium  Data Sources
Reverse SSN Lookup	$2.50	Verify applicants	Regulated sources
Investigative Services	$9.97-$49.97	Legal, fraud, debt recovery	Licensed PI
Skip Tracing with SSN	$5.50 – $14.00	Locate evasive individuals	Regulated sources

Free vs Paid Tools  

Free SSN validators are no longer reliable. Since 2011, the SSA began randomizing SSNs to prevent predictability. This change ended the effectiveness of free algorithms once based on number ranges.

The only free option is the SSA’s SSN Verification Service (SSNVS), available to employers for wage reporting. It cannot be used for pre-employment checks or other business needs.

How to Do an SSN Lookup Legally  

Because SSNs are sensitive, businesses must follow federal rules:

• FCRA (Fair Credit Reporting Act): Governs use of consumer data.
• DPPA (Driver’s Privacy Protection Act): Limits access to DMV data.
• GLBA (Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act): Restricts financial information access.

To perform an SSN lookup through a provider, you’ll need to:

1. Create an account.
2. Provide use-case, industry, and compliance details.
3. Select tools or APIs that fit your needs.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Always consult compliance professionals before using SSN lookup services.

Expert Insights: Legal Compliance for SSN Lookups  

Identity verification falls under Your Money or Your Life (YMYL) content, meaning search engines hold it to higher trust standards. Businesses must ensure that SSN data is used only for permitted purposes.

Examples of lawful use:

• Employers verifying employees for payroll.
• Financial institutions performing KYC checks.
• Debt collectors pursuing recovery with a documented purpose.

Unlawful use — such as checking someone’s SSN out of curiosity — can lead to penalties and lawsuits.

For details, review official guidance from:

• Social Security Administration
• Federal Trade Commission

FAQs About SSN Lookup Services  

Is SSN lookup legal for businesses?
Yes, if done for lawful purposes like payroll, collections, or compliance. Personal use is prohibited.

Can I use free SSN validators?
No . Free SSN validators became obsolete after SSA randomization in 2011. Only SSA’s SSNVS can be used, and only for payroll.

How accurate are reverse SSN lookups?
Accuracy depends on the provider. Paid services using SSA, public and private records are more reliable than free databases.

What industries need SSN verification?
Employment, collections, finance, real estate, and legal services.

What laws govern SSN searches?
FCRA, DPPA, GLBA, and Privacy Act regulations.

Conclusion  

SSN lookup services help businesses stay compliant, prevent fraud, and save time. The right tool depends on your needs:

• Use SSN Check for employee validation.
• Use SSN and Name Match for 1099 reporting.
• Use Reverse SSN Lookup to cross-check identity details.
• Use Investigative Services or Skip Tracing for more complex cases.

Paying for accurate data is far cheaper than fixing errors caused by unreliable sources.

P.S. Tired of guessing if your SSN data is valid or compliant?

Searchbug lets you test all these tools in one place — no subscription needed.Register for a FREE API Test Account today and see how accurate SSN lookup