# What information wil Social Security give out?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-information-wil-social-security-give-out/440086>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [March 4, 2008, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-information-wil-social-security-give-out/440086 "2008-03-04T20:23:27Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![greatshakes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/58956e/32.png) [@greatshakes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/greatshakes)\
**Post date:** [March 4, 2008, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-information-wil-social-security-give-out/440086/1 "2008-03-04T20:23:27Z")

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I am considering hiring a nanny, but I’m not sure aobut how to check out their backgrounds. I want to use a service, but I want to do my own check as well. I own a small business, but I haven’t yet used the SSA to get any information. I’ve heard that they have a new service, but I don’t know anything about it. Will it give dates, and rates of pay, and work history? I don’t want to hire anybody that says that they were doing nanny work, but in reality, they were working at some strip club.  
Also, any other tips on doing reference checks?

Thank You,  
greatshakes

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**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\
**Post date:** [March 4, 2008, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-information-wil-social-security-give-out/440086/2 "2008-03-04T20:29:02Z")

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I’ve never heard of the SSA providing employment history for anyone. As far as I know, they don’t even get full copies of W2s from the IRS – just the raw numbers. You’ll probably have to ask for a complete history and do the reference checks yourself. A good agency will help with this.

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**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\
**Post date:** [March 4, 2008, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-information-wil-social-security-give-out/440086/3 "2008-03-04T20:35:41Z")

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You can use the Request for Detailed Earnings History form:

> **[ssa-7050.pdf](https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ssa-7050.pdf)**

…assuming that your nanny prospects don’t mind signing it. It’ll cost you $15 plus ~$2 per year you want.

Of course, if they were working as strippers, there’s a chance that some or even all their earnings weren’t reported.