The IRS has become aware of a payroll scam that can affect many individuals and families nationwide.
There is an email scam that is going from inbox to inbox that focuses on payroll records. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has been made aware of this very real and dangerous scam that is making its way into the virtual mailbox of taxpayers as tax season begins.
The scam camouflages itself under various iterations, and can be tricky to detect. The most common form of correspondence used by the scammers is a fake email pretending to be someone of importance, like a high-level corporate officer or employee. They request information about tax forms and sensitive data. As an example, they may use language such as:
- “Can you send me the updated list of employees with full details (Name, Social Security, Number, Date of Birth, Home Address, Salary)?”
- “Kindly send the individual 2016 W-2 (PDF) and earning summary of all company staff for a quick review.
- “I want you to send me a list of W-2’s showing employee wages and tax statements for 2016, I need them in PDFs. You can send it as an attachment. Kindly prepare the lists and email them to me ASAP.”
Requests like this on email should be closely examined. Here are a few things that the IRS will NEVER do or ask of you:
- Demand that you pay your taxes without the right to question or appeal the amount they believe you owe.
- Call or demand immediate payment over the phone, nor will they call about taxes owed without mailing you bills.
- Call or email you to send them personal information.
- Threaten to immediately bring local police to arrest you for not paying.
If this scam has already affected you, hope is not lost.
- Call the TIGTA at (800) 366-4484 or by using the “IRS Impersonation Scam Reporting” form on their website.
- You should also report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission and report the same.
Contact Hoffman Brown Company for the reliable business policies that you need throughout Sherman Oaks and neighboring cities in California.
