"We understand the gravity of this error and will take steps to assist affected taxpayers and make necessary corrections to the printing and mailing process," DOA Secretary Michael Morgan said. "We sincerely apologize to the taxpayers who may have been affected, and we take full responsibility for this error."
The agencies learned of the error on January 9, 2008 and immediately corrected it. By the close of business Friday January 11, 2008 it was determined that a limited number of 1099-G forms mailed on January 2 were misfolded in a way that may have caused taxpayer social security numbers to appear in the window of the envelope. The 5,000 piece mailing was sent to taxpayers in the following communities: Freedom, Kaukauna, Keshena, Kimberly, Krakow, Lakewood, Lena, Little Chute, Little Saumico and Marinette.
Taxpayers were notified of the error in a letter mailed Monday, and are being offered one year of free credit monitoring provided by the state.
"What happened at DOA is unacceptable and I have ordered immediate action to correct the problem," said Governor Jim Doyle after learning of the breach. "It is clear that state workers took various steps to prevent this breach of information, but any breach -- no matter how small -- is unacceptable."
"Today I've asked Metavante, a leading expert in financial services and privacy protection, to lead an immediate review of state agencies to determine where private information is held and how to best protect that information. Every day government has to collect and share sensitive information. We must ensure that we are doing everything we can to keep that information secure," the governor continued.
DOA prints, folds and mails the Form 1099-G for DOR. The federal government requires the social security number be printed on this form, which is sent annually to taxpayers who both itemized deductions and received a state income tax refund.
Affected taxpayers may seek assistance at www.revenue.wi.gov.
