It’s important to keep in mind that the information you get from a SSN trace is only as reliable as the information reported to (and then recorded by) the various credit agencies. It is these credit bureaus that serve as the source of information for SSN traces, so you’re relying on the accuracy of their data when performing these traces.
As such, there could be incorrect SSNs, misspelled names or incorrect addresses. These errors could have been false information provided on the original document, or it could be simple data entry errors or misreading of handwriting on credit applications.
Therefore, it’s not a good idea to make any judgment calls of a person’s character or criminal background based solely on the information provided by a SSN trace. The traces are an extremely valuable component of a thorough background check and can be used in conjunction with other tools to confirm some information, but should not be taken on their own as the sole basis for hiring or promotional decisions, or for law enforcement action.
