Email Phishing Scams for W-2s

As we look to the 2018 filing season, this is a reminder that cyber criminals will once again be trying to obtain copies of W-2s or other employee information. Over the last couple of years, cyber criminals have gotten more sophisticated by sending an email that appears to be from management, some even including a legitimate signature block, requesting copies of W-2s or other tax-related information. To help reduce the risks these emails pose, remind employees that if they receive these type of emails, or any other email requesting information or to click on a link/attachment, to really look at the email address to determine if it really came from the person “requesting” the information. Also, if your company has a procedure for requesting and distributing information, that employees make sure to follow those procedures. And, if they still aren’t sure and have a question on whether it’s a legitimate email, have them call or ask the person making the request to validate the original information request. Remember, it’s better to take a few minutes now and be safe than send information to a criminal and face legal ramifications later.