How can E-Verify help reduce identity theft in employment?

E-Verify helps reduce identity theft in employment primarily by verifying employee data against government records. When an employer submits an employee's information to E-Verify, the system checks the data against a range of official government databases, including those maintained by the Social Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security. This verification process confirms that the information provided by the employee matches what is in the government's records.

If there is a discrepancy—such as an incorrect name, Social Security number, or other identifying information—E-Verify alerts the employer, allowing for further investigation. This function directly addresses the issue of identity theft by ensuring that the identity claimed by the applicant is legitimate and that the individual is authorized to work in the United States. Consequently, using E-Verify helps employers avoid the consequences of hiring individuals who may be using stolen or fraudulent identities, which is a common tactic in identity theft schemes in the employment context.

The other options do not directly address the issue of identity verification in a way that would mitigate identity theft. For instance, random selection of employee records does not actively verify identities but rather introduces an inconsistent approach to monitoring. Similarly, eliminating the need for employee documentation would undermine the very framework designed to establish identity and eligibility for work. Requiring