By Emily Burleigh

There has been a claim that hundreds of taxpayers have had their checking account information compromised after an incident at the assessor’s office.

“I believe any information either from the public, social media, or news outlets, etc., stating the Calcasieu Assessor’s office, or tax assessor, has had a security ‘breach’ in which taxpayer banking information was compromised is incorrect and inaccurate,” Calcasieu Parish Assessor Wendy Aguillard said.

Aguillard said the assessor’s office does not collect or deal with any taxpayer bank account information.

“Our office values property for taxing purposes, but the assessor’s office does not collect any taxpayer money or have any access whatsoever to any taxpayer bank account information,” she said.

The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office is the tax collector for property taxes paid in the parish. In a statement released by the sheriff’s office, it was stated the office did not experience a potential hack or data breach of information pertaining to any of their databases.

However, a banking institution that deposits the property tax payments collected by the sheriff’s office has notified the office of a possible breach.

“A third party used by them suffered a likely data breach of the third party’s database,” the CPSO statement reads. “As a result of the likely breach, those who paid their taxes by check may be a victim and their checking information may have been exposed. The banking institution and/or its third party contractor, who owned and maintained the breached database, is the responsible party for notifying those individuals who have possibly been a victim to the breach.”

The Calcasieu Parish Assessor’s Office also warned taxpayers of a phone scam that was possibly being perpetrated in the area involving a caller claiming they are from the assessor’s office and needing bank account information for property tax payments.

The office will never call taxpayers about payment of property taxes or ask for account information, Aguillard said. Those who receive such a call are encouraged to call the sheriff’s office immediately.

Concerned taxpayers can contact the Louisiana Legislative Auditor (LLA) Hotline at 1-844-503-7283 or online at ReportFraud.La if they suspect the theft, fraud, waste, or abuse of public funds by anyone. Callers are asked to include as much detail as possible. Information provided to the LLA Hotline may result in an investigation, audit, or other review. All contact information as well as the status of complaints will be kept confidential.