North Carolina Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) State Practice Exam

Which document is one of the most commonly forged to obtain employment illegally?

1. Driver's licenses

2. Passports

3. Social security cards

4. Green cards

The correct answer is: Social security cards

The most commonly forged document to obtain employment illegally is the social security card. This is primarily because social security cards are directly tied to an individual's ability to work legally in the United States. Employers often require a valid social security card as part of the hiring process to verify eligibility and for tax reporting purposes. For individuals seeking employment without proper authorization, forging a social security card provides them an avenue to present a false identity and work status. Types of forgery associated with social security cards are also relatively easier to produce compared to more heavily controlled documents, making them a popular choice for illegal activities. The other documents mentioned, while also significant, serve different purposes or are subjected to more rigorous verification processes which can deter their use in illegal employment. For example, driver's licenses and passports may be more scrutinized or regulated, while green cards are typically linked to specific immigration statuses that require more in-depth verification.