Trending
WHEELING -- Around 350 people who take pensions from the City of Wheeling had their tax information released to others by a mishandling by the city's payroll company.
A statement released Tuesday morning by city spokeswoman Michele Rejonis indicated that New York-based payroll company Paychex inadvertently released the tax information of numerous pensioners to the incorrect people in the process of distributing tax forms.
According to Wheeling Human Resources Director Tessia Haymaker, Paychex sent the wrong information to around 350 pensioners while distributing 1099-R tax forms.
"(Paychex) inadvertently put two of the wrong forms in place, and those were mailed out to the individuals," Haymaker said. "There was confidential tax information … of other pensioners in each envelope."
Rejonis' release indicates that Wheeling is working with Paychex to correct the issue.
"As soon as this was brought to our attention we promptly addressed the issue with our payroll company to correct the error. Additionally, we are working alongside the payroll company to provide additional protection to the individuals whose personal information may have been compromised."
Paychex sent the misfiled information to the city for distribution in sealed envelopes, Rejonis stated.
"Our payroll company sent us sealed envelopes marked as confidential tax information to be sent to our pension recipients. We sent the envelopes as prepared by the payroll company to the individuals addressed on the envelopes.
Those who received the incorrect forms are asked to return them to the Human Resources Office, in Room 301 of the City-County Building.