You are correct. As far as I know there is no requirement that the employer report the employee in question to anyone.
Then, from the employer's standpoint, that's the easiest thing to have happen -- which is, to let the employee know that they won't follow through with anything if they leave on their own -- but -- if they stay, the employer will be forced to follow through and pursue the matter, by law.
This puts it all on the employee to do whatever is necessary -- on their own, and this is the perfect position for an employer to be in... :-)
You can also bet that all the other Target stores in the country have managers who are also “getting the message” and they are doing some quick checking on all their paperwork, too (and “talking” to any relevant employees... LOL...).
And that’s a good thing... :-)
It is indeed.
I don’t know if Targets payroll department was alerted to these SS# irregularities by the IRS, some whistle blower, or they simply figured out themselves that the paperwork didn’t pass muster.
In the case of SS#’s not matching -IIRC- all the employer can do is ask the employee to clear it up. They cannot fire over that issue.
In any case. Once any employee is out the door, the employer has no further responsibility, unless sued or unemployment insurance claims are filed.