“Phishing” scam that could target nonprofits

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The Internal Revenue Service, state tax agencies and the tax industry issued an urgent alert to all employers that a Form W-2 email phishing scam has evolved beyond the corporate world and is spreading to other sectors, including school districts, tribal organizations and nonprofits.

CalNonprofits wants to be sure our members are aware of this scam; please go to the page the IRS has set up here for details and resources for any questions you have. The page is available in Spanish as well as English.

The IRS adds that in a related development, the W-2 scammers are coupling their efforts to steal employee W-2 information with an older scheme on wire transfers that is victimizing some organizations twice. “This is one of the most dangerous email phishing scams we’ve seen in a long time. It can result in the large-scale theft of sensitive data that criminals can use to commit various crimes, including filing fraudulent tax returns. We need everyone’s help to turn the tide against this scheme,’’ said IRS Commissioner John Koskinen.

Thanks to CalNonprofits for this alert.