IRS Warns of Dangerous W-2 Email Scam

Ministries beware: An email scheme, designed to coincide with tax season, asks payroll and human resource professionals to disclose employees’ personal information. Think you wouldn’t fall for such a scam? You might, if the email looks as if it came from someone in your ministry.

Why you’re likely to fall victim

According to an Internal Revenue Service alert, the phishing emails often contain the actual name of someone in your organization, such as a board member or pastor. This “spoofing” technique makes the request appear legitimate.

Scam emails may look like these examples:

  • Kindly send me the 2016 W-2s and earning summaries for all of our staff for a quick review.
  • Can you send me the updated employee list with full details—name, Social Security Number (SSN), date of birth, home address, and salary?
  • I need a list of employees’ wage and tax statements for 2016. Email it to me ASAP.

Similar scams involve a request to wire money. The methodology is the same: an email that appears to come from a board member or pastor requests that a wire transfer be made to an unfamiliar account. The email could say that it’s for an overseas charity that the pastor feels needs assistance.

Other scams mimic IRS emails

IRS Criminal Investigation already is reviewing several cases in which organizations unwittingly shared SSNs with cybercriminals. These email schemes are designed to look like official IRS communications, and ask organizations to give out information about refunds, filing status, personal information, or to verify PIN information. Be aware that the IRS generally does not initiate contact with taxpayers by email, text message, or social media channels to request personal or financial information.

You can read more about the new consumer alerts issued by the IRS here.

Stay vigilant

If something looks suspicious, look carefully at the sender’s email address. At first glance, it may appear authentic. You may see jdoe@sender.com, when you should see jdoe@<yourministrydomain>.org. When in doubt, don’t click anything—verify that the person claiming to send the email actually sent it by checking in person or with a phone call.

You can also set a policy for financial data requests to be made only in person. To protect sensitive data, avoid emailing employee information unless using a secure transfer method. You can find more information about protecting your ministry’s digital data from Brotherhood Mutual.

November 7, 2023
Stop Plumbing Leaks with FloLogic
Stop Plumbing Leaks with FloLogic

Water and the damage it brings can be one of the most devastating property claims a ministry or organization can experience. Fortunately, there's a solution that identifies leaks when they start, as small as 1/2-ounce-per-minute. It's called FloLogic.

Tags: water damage, plumbing, prevention, leaks
September 7, 2023
Increasing Donor Trust
Increasing Donor Trust

The ability to inspire others to give is a blessing. Because fundraising can be both exciting and challenging, there are some important details to consider that can help your donors, and organization, have a smooth and successful experience.

Tags: insurance, ministry, Donor
July 31, 2023
What to Know About Loaning Your Ministry Vehicle
What to Know About Loaning Your Ministry Vehicle

Has your church or school ever been asked to loan or rent one of your vans or buses to another ministry? Rather than running the risk of loaning or renting your own vehicle, you could consider aiding them financially in renting or chartering a vehicle from a rental agency.

Tags: insurance, ministry, car insurance, renting, safety, travel
May 22, 2023
Area insurance agency was awarded 2022 Director's Community Leadership Award
Area insurance agency was awarded 2022 Director's Community Leadership Award

American Church Group of Tennessee and Bob Johnson Insurance Inc. was awarded the 2022 Director’s Community Leadership Award by FBI Knoxville.

Tags: insurance, protection, award, community, safety and security
May 9, 2023
Save Money with One Change
Save Money with One Change

A periodic review of your insurance policy is a good way to make sure your ministry is protected for its most current needs, but it also may offer the opportunity to find some significant savings.

Tags: insurance, protection
January 26, 2023
Responding to Mission Issues
Responding to Mission Issues

Having insurance coverage specifically designed for long-term international missions helps protect your people and organization from the financial impact caused by injuries, lawsuits, property damage, and more.

Tags: mission travel, kidnapping, insurance, protection, risk, volunteers
January 26, 2023
Brotherhood Mutual Foundation Kingdom Advancing Grant
Brotherhood Mutual Foundation Kingdom Advancing Grant

For the second year, the Brotherhood Mutual Foundation is offering the Kingdom Advancing Grant to innovative Christian church programs that are transforming local communities through ministry.

Tags: ministry, grant, foundation, brotherhood mutual foundation
January 9, 2023
Better Achieve Your Mission in 2023
Better Achieve Your Mission in 2023
Tags: ministry, insurance, operations, legal assist
November 10, 2022
Evaluate Your Ministry's Fire Safety Plan
Evaluate Your Ministry's Fire Safety Plan

With the holiday season right around the corner, it’s wise for ministries to evaluate their fire safety plan. Whether your ministry is hosting a holiday party, prepping treats for charity, or running a community kitchen, make sure you’re well-prepared with these tips.

Tags: ministry, insurance, volunteers, emergency, fire safety
September 9, 2022
School is Back in Session
School is Back in Session

As school is back in session, it’s important to make sure your school is equipped with the correct safety procedures. Thinking about your school’s physical security as a series of layers can help you find gaps in your plan. Transportation and volunteers are just two important aspects of your school safety plan to think about.

Tags: ministry, protection, insurance, transportation, volunteers, child safety
July 15, 2022
Shepherding Ministries in a Time of Change
Shepherding Ministries in a Time of Change

Anyone who turns on the news, flips through a magazine, or browses the web can see that American society and culture are experiencing rapid transitions. Some ministries have valid concerns that issues surrounding societal shifts may expose them to negative publicity, governmental scrutiny, or litigation.

Tags: ministry, protection, religious freedom, insurance
May 12, 2022
Five Common Tricks of Cyber Scammers
Five Common Tricks of Cyber Scammers

Cyber security is increasingly crucial in our technologically advanced world. Scammers use many schemes when attempting to steal your data, but you can outsmart them by understanding their methods.

Tags: ministry, cyber security, technology, data, protection
July 22, 2021
Thousands in Relief Funding Available to Ministries Through the Employee Retention Credit
Thousands in Relief Funding Available to Ministries Through the Employee Retention Credit

Most ministry leaders don’t realize there is funding available to non-profit employers including churches, schools, colleges, and camps. This post includes some highlights about the credit and guidance on where to start to see if your ministry is eligible.

Tags: ERC, tax credit, payroll
March 16, 2021
Prepare for Severe Spring Storms Now
Prepare for Severe Spring Storms Now

When severe storms strike, they can produce high winds and tornadoes. Damaging winds can wreak havoc on your ministry’s property and to buildings. A high wind event can crash debris through your windows, strip your siding, down trees on your parking lot, peel shingles off your roof, and fling back the flashing.

Tags: weather emergency, lightning, storms, safety, protect
February 25, 2021
Catalytic Converter Theft on the Rise: Protect Ministry Vehicles
Catalytic Converter Theft on the Rise: Protect Ministry Vehicles

Thieves are taking advantage of soaring precious metal prices. Take steps to protect your ministry’s vehicles and property.

Tags: protect, theft, vehicle
February 5, 2021
Avoid Frozen Pipes as Temperatures Plummet
Avoid Frozen Pipes as Temperatures Plummet

As temperatures plummet, the risk of freezing pipes soars. Frozen pipes can cause costly messes that could also put your ministry on hold while you clean up.

Tags: frozen, building, pipes, prevent damage
November 23, 2020
COVID-19 and the Christmas Season
COVID-19 and the Christmas Season

Preparing for this Christmas season may require additional creativity, due to the uncertainty of what COVID-19 may bring in our local community.

Tags: COVID-19, health, health safety, protect, coronavirus, Christmas, risk management
October 28, 2020
Guidance for Ministries About Boy Scouts' Bankruptcy
Guidance for Ministries About Boy Scouts' Bankruptcy

A mid-November deadline in the Boy Scouts of America’s (BSA) bankruptcy proceedings may have you wondering what the organization’s bankruptcy filing means for your ministry if you ever hosted or chartered Boy Scout Troops.

Tags: coverage, protect, liability, damages, youth
October 1, 2020
Applying for PPP Loan Forgiveness
Applying for PPP Loan Forgiveness

Organizations that obtained Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funding through the CARES Act can have their loans forgiven, turning them into grants. To qualify, each borrower must file a forgiveness application with its PPP lender, proving that it followed the rules. If your church, school, college, or camp meets all the criteria, 100% of its loan can be forgiven.

CARES Act: Churches Need to Apply Now
UPDATE CARES Act: Churches Need to Apply Now

Learn about the CARES Act and two loans for which ministries may be eligible, since Congress authorized additional funding April 23.