Latest Alerts
- Colorado Adopts Final Rules to Implement the State’s Privacy Act
(posted: 04/03/2023)The CPA Imposes Requirements On Organizations That Conduct Business In Colorado On March...
- Idaho Extends Unemployment Benefits to Military Spouses and Domestic Violence Victims
(posted: 03/30/2023)The Amendments Provide Some Flexibility To The General Eligibility Criteria On March 21, 2023,...
- Virginia Prohibits Using Social Security Numbers on Employee Badges
(posted: 03/30/2023)Employers Cannot Use Social Security Numbers As Employee Identification Numbers or Include Them...
IRS Renews Warning about Form W-2 Scam Targeting Payroll and Human Resources Departments
posted: Monday, January 30th
Scam Targets Taxpayers' Personal Information
Phishing Schemes
This phishing variation is known as a "spoofing" e-mail. It will contain, for example, the actual name of the company chief executive officer (CEO). In this variation, the "CEO" sends an email to a company payroll office or human resources employee and requests a list of employees and information, including SSNs.
The following are some of the details that may be contained in the emails:
- Kindly send me the individual 2016 W-2s (PDFs) and earnings summary of all W-2s of our company staff for a quick review.
- Can you send me the updated list of employees with full details (names, SSNs, dates of birth, home addresses, and salaries)?
- I want you to send me the lists of W-2 copies of employees' wage and tax statements for 2016. I need them in PDF file type--you can send them as attachments. Kindly prepare the lists and email them to me ASAP.
Additional Information
The IRS, state tax agencies, and the tax industry are engaged in public awareness campaigns (for both taxpayers and tax professionals) to encourage businesses to do more to protect personal, financial, and tax data. IRS Publication 4524 features additional steps you can take to protect your business.
