With tax season officially underway, a damaged W-2 form has one Scioto County resident taking precautionary steps—and it’s a reminder for everyone to keep a close eye on their personal information.
Scioto County Sheriff’s deputies were called to a Wheelersburg home after a woman discovered her W-2 had arrived torn, with part of the document missing.
According to the report, the resident found the damaged tax form in her mailbox and requested an official report be taken, just in case the incident turns into identity theft down the road. Deputies noted the document appeared to have been ripped along a perforated section.
The woman told officers she does not have surveillance cameras covering her mailbox, and neighboring homes don’t either. At this point, it’s unclear whether the W-2 was tampered with—or simply damaged during mail delivery.
She was advised to contact her employer for a replacement W-2 and to closely monitor her credit and financial accounts for any suspicious activity.
💡 Tax Season Safety Tips: How to Protect Yourself
With sensitive documents moving through the mail right now, deputies and consumer advocates recommend a few simple steps:
✔ Check your mailbox daily. Don’t let tax documents sit outside.
✔ Consider USPS Informed Delivery. It lets you preview incoming mail digitally.
✔ Shred old tax paperwork. Never toss forms with personal info in the trash.
✔ Monitor your credit. Watch for unfamiliar accounts or inquiries.
✔ Freeze your credit if needed. It’s free and prevents criminals from opening new accounts in your name.
✔ File your taxes early. Beating scammers to the punch can stop fraudulent returns.
✔ Report suspicious mail immediately. Contact your employer, bank, and law enforcement if documents go missing.
Identity thieves don’t need much—sometimes just a name, Social Security number, or W-2—to cause major headaches.
If you notice missing or damaged tax documents, it’s better to be cautious and document the issue early than to wait until problems surface later.
As always, SCDN will continue tracking local incidents tied to fraud and identity theft.
