The other, older system is the SSNVS, and it can be accessed on line or by calling 1-800-772-6270 to speak with an agent. This system is only to verify SSNs for W-2 Forms, and not for I-9 verifications per se. But it is OK and LEGAL to use in Iowa to "vet" farm workers for employment as the law does not mandate E-Verify use. The SSVNS handbook even notes that the phone access to the system is for the use of farmers hiring workers. Either system only "vets" the info on the new hire supplied documents, not anything about the person presenting the documents. The SSNVS use handbook specifically cautions about taking action against an applicant based on info from the system over immigration issues because any such action could "subject the employer to anti-discrimination or labor law sanctions", and to NOT use information from the system to take punitive action action against an applicant for this reason. Also, under Federal EEOC Law, the employer is forbidden from asking the applicant ANY question about race or national origin.
When you use E-Verify you must display a Government supplied poster in the hiring location, in Spanish and English, saying that you do so. If not, there must be a page in the application paperwork containing the same info. This is a sign to an illegal worker that they must present verifying ID that will pass the E-verify systems check, meaning that the SSN is valid, the name matches the SSN, the actual SSN holder is not dead, and the name/SSN combo is not on any DHS/HS "lists". The poster does not say "illegals don't apply here" If your bogus documents are good, the E-Verify system says your papers are good, you work. Biometric IDs are not common yet, E-Verify only vets the paperwork info, not the worker in his boots.
Apparently, the people creating the fake documents can use the SSNVN system to verify if the SSN is "good". The system will tell you if the SSN is on the deceased SSN holders registry.