Escalon Sends Employee W-2 Form With Social Security Number In Plain Sight
ESCALON (CBS13) — A CBS13 viewer fears her identity was exposed by the city she works for when it mailed her W-2 with her Social Security number visible for anyone to see.
The city of Escalon isn't just apologizing for potentially exposing at least her Social Security number. They're advising all employees to place a fraud alert on their credit reports.
The employee who contacted us wants to remain anonymous, but showed CBS13 the proof of what happened.
The city employee sent CBS13 a picture of the envelope she was mailed with her W-2. If we didn't blur it, her Social Security number would be in the return address window, plain as day.
Escalon Interim City Manager Tammy Alcantor repeatedly refused our interview requests and instead sent the following statement:
"The City of Escalon regrets that this has happened and is equally concerned with the potential harm. We appreciate that the matter has been brought to our attention and will be making a change to future mailings."
CBS13 also obtained this apologetic letter that was sent out to all staff members:
"Out of an abundance of caution, we are notifying all employees of the potential exposure of Social Security numbers. We would recommend that you place a fraud alert with each of the credit reporting agencies.
"We are deeply sorry that this incident has happened and for any inconvenience it may cause..."
In that letter, the city says most of its W-2s were hand-delivered, and a small number were sent out in the mail. It's unclear how many employees' Social Security numbers were exposed.
The city is promising to make changes to avoid this happening again.