IRS Issues Alert on Email “Phishing” Scheme

By Lindsay Reynolds

The IRS has issued an alert to payroll and human resources professionals who are the targeted victims of an emerging phishing email scheme. These "spoofing" emails appear to be addressed from company executives and specifically request payroll data including Forms W-2 that contain Social Security numbers and other personally identifiable information. In light of these recent scams, payroll and human resources professionals should be cautious when responding to such requests from company executives. A link to the IRS alert, which includes examples of the "spoofing" emails, can be found here.