E-Verify improves detection of SSN fraud | Vigilant

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Feb 11, 2014

E-Verify improves detection of SSN fraud

The agency will use a combination of algorithms, reports, and analyses to look for instances of valid SSNs that appear to have been stolen or purchased. For example, an employer checking a Social Security card might not notice a problem, as long as the name and number match the Social Security Administration’s database. But if the same name and SSN are being used by workers in two different states at the same time, E-Verify may flag it as a case of possible identity theft. In that case, you’ll be notified of a tentative nonconfirmation, until the issue is resolved.

Tips: If you’re not feeling confident in your ability to verify the work eligibility of your new hires by just using the Form I-9, the E-Verify online system offers an extra layer of certainty. For more information about this government program, see the USCIS’s E-Verify webpage.

The E-Verify system can now detect potentially fraudulent use of perfectly legitimate Social Security Numbers (SSNs), according to an announcement from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

This website presents general information in nontechnical language. This information is not legal advice. Before applying this information to a specific management decision, consult legal counsel.
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About The Author

Karen Davis

Senior Employment Attorney Vigilant Law Group
  • Colorado College, B.A. in Chemistry
  • Lewis & Clark College, Northwestern Law School, J.D.
  • Attorney licensed in Oregon and California
  • Former competitive swimmer and current birder

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