UCI Police, IRS Offer Tax-Filing Assistance for Identity Theft Victims
University Makes Resources Available for Visa Issues, Too

Feb. 23, 2009 – It’s tax season again, and help is available to graduate students who became victims of identity theft last year when their stolen Social Security numbers were used to file fraudulent federal income tax returns.

The university has been investigating the theft of graduate student identification information since it learned last year that a file containing 1,132 names and Social Security numbers was stolen from the United Healthcare offices in Dallas, Texas. UC Irvine ultimately received 193 reports of tax fraud against students. It should be noted that UCI Police Department and the IRS are currently investigating one case of what looks like repeat tax fraud against one of those victims.

The IRS's Laguna Niguel Taxpayer Advocate Service has a special procedure in place to assist the 193 victims with 2008 tax return filing.

UC Irvine Police Chief Paul Henisey sent letters to other students whose personal information was compromised, urging them to contact the IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service if they encounter any difficulties filing a federal income tax return.

All other graduate students should file their tax returns in the normal manner, using e-filing or mail. If you are notified by the IRS that a 2008 tax return already has been filed using your identity, please file a crime report immediately with UCI Police Department at 949-824-5223.

In addition to tax help, UCI has sent letters to affected students offering resources for immigration or visa problems that may result from the theft. 

UCI became aware of the identity theft in March 2008 when students began reporting the problem to the university. Campus staff – including police, computer security, student affairs and other personnel – conducted an exhaustive review of information security practices. No breach of security was found at UCI. Instead, evidence indicated that students’ personal information had been stolen from the student resources division of United Healthcare in Dallas.

UCI police detectives, along with Dallas County district attorney’s investigators and Fort Worth police officers, arrested a suspect in the case July 8, 2008. Michael Tyrone Thomas, 27, and five others indicted in August are in jail awaiting federal trials.




Contact:
Paul Henisey, Police Chief
949-824-7797
phenisey@uci.edu