The IRS is warning HR departments and payroll that W-2 scams have returned, according to an agency statement published by NBC Montana. Cyber thieves use emails to trick HR and payroll departments into releasing W-2s, giving them access to employees’ names, social security numbers and financial data. The criminals use the data to file fake tax returns.
The phishing scam is known as “spoofing” email. Cyber thieves get a hold of the names of several CEOs, to whom they send the emails requesting W-2 information.
