FBI warns of W-2 phishing scams

The IRS is warning businesses about a sharp increase in email phishing scams involving employees’ W-2 forms — scams that can put workers’ Social Security numbers and other crucial information in the hands of thieves.

The government said 200 businesses, public schools, universities, Native American governments and nonprofits were victimized by these scams during this year’s tax filing season, resulting in the theft of several hundred thousand employees’ data. That’s up from 50 in 2016, when the scam first appeared.

Cyberthieves perpetrate the scams by sending emails that appear to come from executives inside the targeted organizations. The emails ask payroll or human resources departments to reply with a list of all employees and their W-2 forms. Some emails also ask companies to transfer money to a specified bank account.

Companies should be on alert for anyone asking for employees’ W-2 forms or for wire transfers of money.

The IRS has an email notification address specifically for businesses and organizations to report W-2 thefts: dataloss@irs.gov. Be sure to include “W-2 scam” in the subject line. Businesses and organizations that receive a suspicious email but haven’t been victimized should forward it to phishing@irs.gov, also with “W-2 scam” in the subject line.

Anyone victimized should also contact the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center through its website, www.ic3.gov .

The IRS says one way to avoid being victimized if you get a suspicious email is to pick up the phone and call the person who purportedly sent it, using a phone number you can verify as theirs, not one that might be contained in the email. Confirm this person has made the request.