# What is a Social Security Background Check?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-social-security-background-check/727209>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [August 7, 2015, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-social-security-background-check/727209 "2015-08-07T03:39:45Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![robert\_columbia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\
**Post date:** [August 7, 2015, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-social-security-background-check/727209/1 "2015-08-07T03:39:45Z")

</div>

I was browsing job listings and came across this doozy of a condition:

“Must have satisfactory background check inclusive of driving, criminal, employment reference, education, and social security.”

Most of those items make sense. Driving check? Ok I guess if the position involves driving. Education? Yeah, I guess they’ll call the registrar to make sure you really did get that degree. But _social security_? What could they be looking for? “I’m sorry, your background check indicates that you received Social Security payments in 2011, which does not meet our standards. Best of luck in your future endeavors.”

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\
**Post date:** [August 7, 2015, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-social-security-background-check/727209/2 "2015-08-07T03:43:13Z")

</div>

Maybe verify that the number you provide is actually yours and you’re not using a phony or stolen number.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Honey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honey/32/5074_2.png) [@Honey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Honey)\
**Post date:** [August 7, 2015, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-social-security-background-check/727209/3 "2015-08-07T03:52:53Z")

</div>

> [@](#):
>
> A Social Security scan will also turn up all an individual’s previous street addresses and places of residence. Social Security scans are completed through E-Verify, an Internet-based tool developed by the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration. E-verify is used mainly for employment verification purposes, especially for confirming information job applicants present on applications. If false information is given on a job application or in an interview, most of it can be confirmed or denied with a Social Security Number scan.

From [here](https://www.backgroundcheck.org/basics/what-is-and-isnt-revealed-through-a-background-check/).