Finding someone with their social security number

I work for a general contractor. We use lots of “direct labor” contract type work for pipe fitting, rigging, etc. We pay them directly, through check or direct deposit, and report it all at the end of the year through the 1099 (miscellaneous income) form. We are now trying to mail out the 1099 forms for all of our direct labor guys from 2002.

Unfortunately, our project manager failed to get some necessary information from one of the guys he hired. We have his bank account and routing number, his bank’s name and address, and his social security number. But we don’t have HIS address. He worked for us for a short amount of time, and none of the other guys know where he went (he used to live in Florida but has since moved). Any ideas? (Other than using some expensive USSearch-type thing)

Maybe his bank could forward it for you. Maybe the IRS could help if you explained the situation.

Haj

I’m sure the Social Security people will forward a letter from you to the address they have for the person. You’ll need a SASE, do not put your return address on it, don’t seal the letter, and whatever info you have on the person to give the SSA. As long as the letter seems OK, i.e. you’re not threatening to kill the SOB for boffing your wife or something of that nature, they’ll send it on. Whether or not you get an answer is another issue.

I’ve used this process at the VA to find a number of people.

Sandyhook is correct. The SSA will forward a letter, usually to the current employment address, since that’s the information most likely to be current. My sister got a letter to me that way once, which arrived at my then place of employment. Be aware, however, that this process takes a LONG time. IIRC it was nearly three months before I got it.

One time I looked, The Calif dmv for $5 (?) would let them know you are looking for them, thats california or course & they would have to have a license.

Thanks for the help. I’m going to try hajario’s idea first - but with the same process (SASE and all) from SandyHook.

You can also get the last reported address by pulling a credit report.

Yeah, but credit reports cost money.

I did call his bank Wednesday morning. After explaining the rigamarole, the woman on the phone was very accepting and eager to help. I’ve already mailed it off.

Thanks for your help, Dopers!!

True, five to twenty-five dollars. You were asking, I told you. If you were looking for a free solution, you should have mentioned it. Much as I hate social security numbers, if you have to do a skip trace, it really is the only way recognized by a court for identification.

TANSTAFL

I’ve used www.choicepointonline.com in the past for skip tracing.

I think a basic search will run you $10 at most.