Overview
The Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) is aware of reports involving fraudulent tax return filings affecting some employees within LACOE and across certain County school districts. We understand the seriousness of this issue and the concern it may cause. LACOE is actively investigating in coordination with external cybersecurity experts and the W-2 vendor.
Our investigation is ongoing, and updates will be provided as new information becomes available. LACOE remains committed to protecting the data privacy and security of our district partners and employees.
Current Status
- LACOE is conducting an extensive review of systems and processes.
- We are working with external experts and vendors to assess potential risks.
- We are requesting districts and employees to self-report any suspected tax fraud incidents.
System Access Clarifications
- For agencies using HRS: The W-2 vendor online portal has been temporarily disabled. Employees must contact their Payroll department for a copy of their W-2.
- For agencies using Advantage - HCM: W-2 forms remain available directly via Employee Self-Service (ESS).
How to Report Tax Fraud
If you believe you are a victim of tax-related identity theft:
1. Report to the IRS
- Submit Form 14039 (Identity Theft Affidavit)
- Visit the IRS Identity Theft Central Website
2. Report to Credit Bureaus
Contact one of the following and consider placing a fraud alert or credit freeze:
3. Report Identity Theft
- Visit: identitytheft.gov to file a report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
4. Notify Your District
- Report the issue through your district’s designated process
- Ensure the case is escalated to LACOE for tracking. Below are a couple of different ways you can report this to the LACOE Help Desk:
- Call the LACOE Help Desk at 562-922-8888
- Email the LACOE Help Desk at HCMHelpDesk@lacoe.edu
5. File a Police Report
If you believe you and/or your dependent(s) may be victims of tax identity theft, we strongly encourage you to file a report with your local police department in the city where you reside. Identity theft is a crime, and filing a police report creates an official record of the incident. A police report can help:
- Document the fraud
- Provide proof to creditors or the IRS that you are a victim
- Support potential investigation efforts by local law enforcement
Guidance for Districts
Monitoring
Encourage employees to regularly review:
- IRS notices or correspondence
- Bank and financial accounts
- Credit reports
Reporting
- Establish a clear internal reporting process
- Report incidents to LACOE to support coordinated tracking
- Encourage employees to report directly to the IRS if impacted
Mitigation
If an employee suspects tax fraud, they should:
- File IRS Form 14039 (Identity Theft Affidavit)
- Place a fraud alert or credit freeze with credit bureaus
- Monitor IRS tax transcripts
- File taxes early (if possible) to reduce risk
Awareness
- Reinforce phishing awareness and safe handling of sensitive data
- Remind employees:
- Do not share personal information or documents containing personal information via email
- Always personally verify requests for sensitive information or payment before fulfilling such requests.
Additional Resources
Connect with Us
For questions or to report an issue, please contact: HCMHelpDesk@lacoe.edu.
