When a background check comes back with an "inconclusive SSN trace," it can feel like hitting an unexpected speed bump in your hiring process. No need to panic -- here is what it means and how to get back on track.

What Is an Inconclusive SSN Trace?

An inconclusive SSN trace simply means that the Social Security Number provided by your applicant could not be fully verified through DISA's background check process. This can happen for one of two reasons:

• Different Identity Match: The SSN provided traces back to a different individual. This can happen due to a typo, data entry error, or other input mistake -- human error happens to the best of us.
• No Record Found: The trace returns no records at all. This is common for candidates who are young, new to the country, or have not yet built much of a credit or residential history.

What Should You Do Next?

Since DISA is a third-party verifier, they are not able to take additional verification steps on your behalf. That responsibility falls to you as the employer -- but the good news is that the steps are straightforward.

Step 1: Request the Candidate's Social Security Card

Ask the applicant to provide their physical Social Security Card for review. This allows you to:

• Confirm the card is authentic
• Verify that the number on the card matches what was submitted in the application

Step 2: Contact Your Local Social Security Administration (SSA) Office

If further verification is needed, reach out to your local SSA office. They can:

• Confirm whether the SSN matches the individual in question
• Help resolve any discrepancies that could not be cleared up through the card alone

A Note on Compliance

Taking these extra steps is not just good practice -- it is also part of ensuring your hiring process stays compliant with employment regulations. You have every right as an employer to verify this information, and doing so protects both your organization and your applicants.