Don’t Fall Victim to W-2 Phishing

Employees can never be too careful when dealing with their W-2 tax documents.

According to Krebs on Security, the major data company, Seagate Technology, became victim to a W-2 phishing scam on March 1^st. An employee at Seagate received what they thought to be an internal company request and regrettably gave out all current and past employees W-2 tax documents.

Although Seagate is now offering employees’ free credit protection services, the credit safety will not protect the employees from the biggest danger here - tax refund fraud.

W-2 forms are highly valued by thieves involved in filing phony tax refund requests with the IRS and the states because it includes almost all of the information one would need to file a hefty refund.

Educate your employees!  Question all Phishing emails that request company data of any sort.  Call the source to confirm the request.

Michael Ritsema

i3 Business Solutions, llc