A Digital Defense Against W-2 Theft

A Digital Defense Against W-2 Theft

The FBI gives basic steps to mitigate the threat of W-2 theft.

It is "prime time," about a month before April's tax filing deadline, for cybercriminals and scam artists looking to cash in on your personal tax information. The FBI has recently issued an updated warning for businesses and employees to be on the watch for W-2 theft.

If a cybercriminal gets ahold of your W-2, he or she has the ability to file your tax return, and get your refund, before you do. There is also a great deal of personally identifiable information, including your Social Security Number, that could lead to numerous other problems for a victim.

The FBI says the most common way a scam artist could get your W-2 information is through a phishing scheme. The hacker, pretending to be an executive at the company, sends an email to the HR department and asks for employee's personal information or their W-2's, perhaps for tax or audit purposes. In some cases, hackers have been able to cause a massive data dump affecting thousands of employees.

So, how can you strengthen your company to ensure this doesn't happen and the data of your employees is protected? The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center has put together some basic steps that businesses can take to mitigate the threat:

  • Limit the number of people who have access to employees' person information and W-2's.
  • Set up two-factor verification system to confirm the request and receipt of such sensitive information.
  • Establish protocols for sensitive information requests ahead of time and outside the email environment.
  • Ensure that you secure sensitive PII and W-2 information with encryption.
  • Establish and maintain robust and strong security for your data, including firewalls, virus protection and spam filters.

"Businesses that have suffered a data breach involving tax information should immediately report that breach to the IRS and your state tax agency," the FBI said. "The IRS also wants to hear from you if you received a W-2 phishing e-mail but did not fall victim to the scam."

About the Author

Sydny Shepard is the Executive Editor of Campus Security & Life Safety.

Featured

  • Survey: 54% of Organizations Cite Technical Debt as Top Hurdle to Identity System Modernization

    Modernizing identity systems is proving difficult for organizations due to two key challenges: decades of accumulated Identity and Access Management (IAM) technical debt and the complexity of managing access across multiple identity providers (IDPs). These findings come from the new Strata Identity-commissioned report, State of Multi-Cloud Identity: Insights and Trends for 2025. The report, based on survey data from the Cloud Security Alliance (CSA), highlights trends and challenges in securing cloud environments. The CSA is the world’s leading organization dedicated to defining standards, certifications, and best practices to help ensure a secure cloud computing environment. Read Now

  • Study: Only 35 Percent of Companies Include Cybersecurity Teams When Implementing AI

    Only 35 percent of cybersecurity professionals or teams are involved in the development of policy governing the use of AI technology in their enterprise, and nearly half (45 percent) report no involvement in the development, onboarding, or implementation of AI solutions, according to the recently released 2024 State of Cybersecurity survey report from ISACA, a global professional association advancing trust in technology. Read Now

  • New Report Series Highlights E-Commerce Threats, Fraud Against Retailers

    Trustwave, a cybersecurity and managed security services provider, recently released a series of reports detailing the threats facing the retail sector, marking the second year of its ongoing research into these critical security issues. Read Now

  • Stay Secure in 2024: Updated Cybersecurity Tips for the Office and at Home

    Cyber criminals get more inventive every year. Cybersecurity threats continue to evolve and are a moving target for business owners in 2024. Companies large and small need to employ cybersecurity best practices throughout their organization. That includes security integrators, manufacturers, and end users. Read Now

Featured Cybersecurity

Webinars

New Products

  • Compact IP Video Intercom

    Viking’s X-205 Series of intercoms provide HD IP video and two-way voice communication - all wrapped up in an attractive compact chassis. 3

  • PE80 Series

    PE80 Series by SARGENT / ED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin

    ASSA ABLOY, a global leader in access solutions, has announced the launch of two next generation exit devices from long-standing leaders in the premium exit device market: the PE80 Series by SARGENT and the PED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin. These new exit devices boast industry-first features that are specifically designed to provide enhanced safety, security and convenience, setting new standards for exit solutions. The SARGENT PE80 and Corbin Russwin PED4000/PED5000 Series exit devices are engineered to meet the ever-evolving needs of modern buildings. Featuring the high strength, security and durability that ASSA ABLOY is known for, the new exit devices deliver several innovative, industry-first features in addition to elegant design finishes for every opening. 3

  • Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden Door Controls has relaunched its CV-7600 card readers in response to growing market demand for a more secure alternative to standard proximity credentials that can be easily cloned. CV-7600 readers support MIFARE DESFire EV1 & EV2 encryption technology credentials, making them virtually clone-proof and highly secure. 3