A mistake by a not-for-profit group may put more than 200 landlords at risk for identity theft. The mistake sent tax forms and social security numbers to strangers.

More than 500 landlords work with OACAC, the Ozarks Area Community Action Corporation.

On January 28, 2010, half of those landlords didn't receive tax forms. The other half got their forms and someone else's private information.

Tom Masteller got a letter from OACAC apologizing for the error. He received his 1099 form and Jaime Chavez’s 1099 form. The two strangers are both landlords. Some of their clients qualify for OACAC's housing assistance. The organization was supposed to send them both tax forms.

"If I've got his, who has mine?" Masteller asked. "I know where he lives, his account number, his federal ID number and his Social Security number."

OACAC’s director, Carl Rosenkranz, says the organization printed two 1099 forms on one piece of paper. They were supposed to separate them and send each to the rightful owner. Instead one person got both. "Anyone could get on the internet and apply for credit," Masteller said.

OACAC did recognize the mistake. They resent each separated form to the rightful tax payer. They also sent out a letter admitting the mistake. They asked everyone who received someone else's forms to send them back. Rosenkranz says they can track who got the information of 243 people.

Chavez only got his form but is thankful Masteller is the one who got his other one. "I’d thank him for telling me, being honest and for returning it hopefully to me," Chavez said. Masteller won't be sending it back to OACAC. "I'd feel more comfortable if I burned it with a match," Masteller said jokingly. Instead he agreed to allow KSPR to give his phone number to Chavez. He says he plans to personally give the stranger back his personal information.

OACAC’s director says the organization is taking steps to make sure this won't happen again.