By Christopher R. Helm, James M. Mei and Richard M. Rawson
Each year, the Social Security Administration (SSA) sends thousands of letters to employers across the country listing the names and Social Security Numbers (SSNs) of employees whose SSNs do not match their names on the earnings records of the SSA. The purpose of the so-called "no-match" letter is to properly credit earnings records for future benefits, not to identify illegal aliens. Here are some suggestions about how to respond to an SSA no-match letter, as well as general advice about compliance with I-9 employment eligibility verification rules.
You should not conclude that a listed employee is an illegal alien simply because he or she is listed in a no-match letter. Discrepancies can arise from transcription or typographical errors and name changes. You may violate state or federal law if you take adverse action against an employee based solely on the SSN no-match letter.
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