Background check matched me to someone with a different Social Security number. Is that proof of error?

Question

I finally got access to the actual court records for the criminal case that's showing up on my background check, and I discovered something major - the Social Security number on the court documents is completely different from mine. Not off by a digit or two, but totally different. When I showed this to the screening company, they said Social Security numbers "aren't always reliable" and that they stand by their match. How can they possibly justify matching me to someone with a completely different SSN?

Consumer Attorneys · Accepted Answer

They can't justify it, and their response reveals exactly why you need legal help. A Social Security number is a unique federal identifier - it's literally designed to distinguish between different people. When a screening company matches you to a criminal record with a different SSN, they've failed to use one of the most definitive identifiers available.

The screening company's claim that SSNs "aren't always reliable" is a red flag. What they really mean is they don't always bother to check SSNs because it would require more effort than just matching names and birthdates.

Why SSN mismatches are powerful evidence:

Unique federal identifier: SSNs are issued to one person only
Readily available: Most criminal records include SSN information
Clearly distinguishing: Different SSNs definitively prove different people
No excuse for ignoring: Screening companies have access to SSN data

A different SSN is often dispositive proof the record isn't yours. Courts have repeatedly held that ignoring SSN mismatches violates the FCRA's reasonable procedures requirement. The screening company's dismissive response to this evidence may support willful violation claims, which carry higher damages.

We can use the SSN mismatch to demand immediate correction and build a strong case for damages. This type of evidence often leads to quick settlements because the screening company has no legitimate defense. Contact us immediately - SSN mismatch cases are among the strongest FCRA claims.