Updated on June 4, 2018
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Because a Social Security number is some of the most sensitive information that a person can have, you’ll probably be surprised to learn that you can actually find Social Security number online. In fact, these searches are done all the time!
In This Article: Key Points
OK, so you can’t use a find SSN tool to dig up information on your new boyfriend or to check out that job applicant you just interviewed. But in certain cases, searching for a person’s Social Security number online is perfectly legal.
Like when?
Let’s say you have a freelancer who works for you. When it comes time to fill out his 1099, if you don’t have his Social Security number, you could end up in some serious hot water.
The IRS may even force you to pay penalties for submitting incomplete documents! If, for some reason, your freelancer won’t give you his Social Security number in time to file everything, you can avoid getting hassled by the IRS just by going online to find the social security number.
The same goes for someone who owes you money, like child support or a judgment that you won in a lawsuit. If the money isn’t coming in like it’s supposed to, you can find the person’s Social Security number online and use it to garnish his wages.
Finding someone’s Social Security number online is also a valuable way to prove that someone is — or isn’t — on active military duty. If, for example, you’re a lawyer who’s suing a member of the military, you can find his Social Security number online and see if he’s REALLY deployed somewhere — or if he’s simply dodging your subpoenas.
So, what do you need to do to get your hands on someone’s Social Security number?
This isn’t a journey that you can set out on all by yourself. Instead, you’ll need to hire someone to do the actual searching for you. And, before they can start their search, they’ll need some basic information from you about the person in question. So, be prepared to hand over the person’s full name, last known street address, and approximate age (bonus points if you know the person’s actual date of birth!). As long as the person in question is over 21 and has some type of credit history (either good or bad), a trained professional will be able to find his Social Security number online.
But what about identity theft? If people’s Social Security numbers are available online, isn’t that just inviting trouble?
On the surface, searching for a Social Security by name online can seem like a recipe for disaster. After all, what’s to prevent an identity thief from using this set-up to his advantage?
The company you hire!
Find a Social Security Number
If you’re dealing with a good team — specifically, a team of licensed private investigators — they’ll have access to databases that the general public can’t get into. That way, this sensitive information can’t get into any ol’ person’s hands!
And, when you hire a good company to find a Social Security number for you, they’ll do some legwork to make sure that your request is legitimate. Be prepared to answer a few questions over the phone about why you need the information. You also may be asked to provide proof — like a court order or copies of checks you’ve sent to a freelance employee, for example — of why you’re legally entitled to verify this person’s Social Security number. By dotting these I’s and crossing these T’s, a good company can make sure your motives are on the up and up.
Whatever you do, don’t be offended by these requests. They’re in place to keep EVERYONE’S sensitive information safe! Luckily, once you answer a few questions, you can sit back and let the experts handle everything for you. In fact, they should be able to find the Social Security number you need in a day or less!
One final tip — be choosy about who you work with.
Search online, and you’ll find countless companies offering to find Social Security numbers for you, but if you want the very best results, you’ll do a little bit of homework before you hand over any of your hard-earned money.
Start by checking out your potential company’s credentials. A good company will brag about having licensed professional investigators. This expertise is a big difference from websites that simply offer you access to some kind of giant database!
Once you’ve narrowed your search down to a couple of reputable companies, see what kinds of experiences other customers have had. A good company will have a review section right on its website so that you can see how they REALLY work. If you see a sea of good reviews, you can rest easy knowing you’re dealing with the “good guys” in your search for a “bad guy”!
When you’re ready, let Docusearch help you find a social security number.
Other Articles on This Topic:
- When Is It Legal to Find Someone’s Social Security Number?
- How Do You Find Social Security Numbers for Your 1099 Employees?
- Finding Someone’s Social Security Number – What’s OK and What’s Not?
- Finding SSN’s: Completely Legal for Attorney Clients