Know Who You’re Hiring Before the Background Check Begins
A background check only works when it starts with the right identity.
If a candidate provides the wrong name, Social Security Number, date of birth, or identity document, downstream searches can miss records, return no matches, or pull results tied to someone else. That can affect criminal searches, employment verifications, license checks, and other screening steps.
Identity issues in hiring are not rare. Employment-related identity theft grew 20 percent year over year, with 37,556 reported cases in 2024.1 Remote hiring has added more opportunity for identity mismatches because many employers no longer have an in-person checkpoint before day one.
The answer is simple. Verify identity first.
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Identity Verification Solutions that Match the Risk and the Role
Shield Screening offers five identity verification solutions that help employers verify identity at different points in the hiring process.
These options range from address history research to biometric confirmation that a person matches a government-issued ID. Employers can order them individually or combine them based on role requirements, hiring workflows, and internal guidance.
Identity Verification Services
vID
SSN Trace
Consent Based SSN Verification (CBSV)
Fingerprinting
I-9
Who Benefits Most from Identity Verification
Identity verification is not limited to highly regulated industries. Any employer that relies on background checks should consider the quality of the identity data supporting those searches.
Staffing & Recruiting
Healthcare & Long-Term Care
Education & Childcare
Construction
Manufacturing & Warehousing
Retail & Hospitality
Non-profit and Volunteer
Small Business
Transportation & Logistics
Why Employers Choose Shield for Identity Verification
Identity verification and screening in one place. SSN Trace, CBSV, vID, fingerprinting, and I-9 support are available in one account.
Built for hiring workflows
Fast enough not to slow you down.
No annual contracts, no minimums.
Support when you need it.
Seamless ATS and HCM Platform Integrations Available
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Build Your Screening on a Foundation
You Can Trust
Shield Screening’s identity verification solutions help employers confirm the foundation with vID before background checks move forward. Connect with our team today to learn more.
Request a DemoFrequently Asked Questions about Identity Verification
01
What is the difference between SSN Trace, CBSV, and vID?
They each address identity from a different angle.
An SSN Trace searches commercial databases to return address history and names linked to a Social Security Number — it is a research tool that guides downstream searches, not a confirmation of SSN ownership.
CBSV goes directly to the Social Security Administration to confirm whether a name, SSN, and date of birth match SSA records — it validates the SSN-to-identity pairing.
vID does what neither of those does — it biometrically confirms that a real, physically present person matches their government-issued identity document.
02
Does an SSN Trace confirm that a candidate owns the Social Security Number they provided?
No. An SSN Trace returns historical data associated with a number, but it does not confirm ownership.
03
Is fingerprinting the same as vID?
No. Fingerprinting captures biometric data and submits it to the FBI or state law enforcement repositories, providing both identity matching and access to criminal records unavailable through court-based searches. vID uses a selfie and ID document scan to confirm that the person in front of the screen matches their government-issued photo.
04
Do any of these services require candidate consent?
Yes. Background screening services ordered through Shield Screening require proper FCRA disclosure and written candidate authorization. CBSV also requires explicit consent before information is submitted to the Social Security Administration. Employers should work with HR and legal counsel to confirm that disclosure and authorization processes meet applicable requirements.