Here is where it gets a little bit trickier. ITIN numbers cannot be verified to the individual’s true identity (DOB, aliases, and former addresses). In order to properly check into someone’s past, an employer must verify that a person is who they say they are. Otherwise, you may be searching for a non-existent person with obviously, clean records. For instance, a TIN match may verify that “John Doe” has a valid ITIN issued to his name, but does not reveal his exact DOB. Thus, a criminal records search may return a “false negative” if John Doe provided a slightly different DOB. Interestingly enough, John Doe’s legal name could be Johnny Doe or Juan Doe and still get a match from the IRS TIN match at an 80% match threshold. This can also throw off a criminal background check.
Lastly, a new employee could be collecting unemployment insurance compensation using their SSN as that could very well be the reason why they are providing the employer a TIN number.