The IRS has renewed its warning about an email scam that targets payroll and human resources departments. The scam involves a spoofing email in which a company’s CEO apparently requests a list of employees and information including social security numbers or copies of their Form W-2.   The scam, which first appeared last year, is intended to collect sensitive information, such as social security numbers and birthdates. The IRS warns company payroll officials to double check any executive-level or unusual requests for lists of Form W-2 or social security numbers.

The following are some of the details that may be contained in the emails:

  • Kindly send me the individual 2016 W-2 (PDF) and earnings summary of all W-2 of our company staff for a quick review.
  • Can you send me the updated list of employees with full details (Name, Social Security Number, Date of Birth, Home Address, Salary).
  • I want you to send me the list of W-2 copy of employees wage and tax statement for 2016, I need them in PDF file type, you can send it as an attachment. Kindly prepare the lists and email them to me asap.

You read the full News Release IR 2017-10.