Scam Alert: Phishing and the CEO scam
In a brand new tax Tip Tuesday we are going over the dreaded tax scams that seem to be ever so prevalent each and every year. We sat down with an IRS agent to get information on the two scams that have been making a lasting impression this past year.
One is called a phishing scam. That is when you get a faulty email or phone call or anything that is done electronically.
These are the most popular scams that the IRS has picked up on. Time and time again people fall for these faulty emails and hundreds of thousand of dollars is being stolen. Brian Watson, a special agent with the IRS explains the new CEO scams making headlines.
“You will get an email from someone who is reporting to be the owner or CEO or president of a big company and they target someone in the personnel or human resource department of a company. They want immediately W-2’s for everyone in the company and people respond because they want want to reply quickly to their boss, said Watson.”
However it’s not your boss sending the email, its scammers. Be very aware as scammers will change the name on the email or send an email that almost seems identical to the one you are use to seeing from your employer. One of the biggest tips is to pay close attention during tax season and contact your employer and or the IRS directly if you have any suspicion.