backgroundchecks.com Legislation and Compliance Update - Social Security Administration (SSA) to Begin Randomizing Social Security Numbers (SSNs)

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced plans to begin randomizing Social Security Numbers (SSNs).  This move will change the way in which third-party providers like backgroundchecks.com can verify SSNs.

Currently, the SSA issues SSNs with the first 5 digits indicating area and group. Starting June 25, 2011, newly issued SSNs will be completely random. This randomization process will make it impossible to update the High Group List that third-party agencies used to determine the validity of an SSN.

backgroundchecks.com’s process for SSNs issued prior to this date will not change.  We will still continue to check the Death Master Index, check that the format is accurate, etc. For SSNs issued after the date of randomization, backgroundchecks.com will inform you that the SSN may have been issued as part of the SSA Randomization program and will ask you to work with the candidate to validate authenticity.

If you would like more information about how this update may affect your program and how backgroundchecks.com can help, please contact customer service.