By Greta Malstrom, Payroll Manager at Schwartz & Schwartz
Recently we received direct deposit change information for an employee of one of our payroll clients. The email was sent to the client which the client then forwarded to us. Turns out the email to the client was from a scammer, not the employee.
The fraudster might either hijack the employee’s email or create a new email in the employee’s name, and then will contact the employer by email and request a change in direct deposit (often using GREEN DOT BANK.) The fraudster will sometimes provide a voided check in the email as well.
Remedial Steps:
- Verify direct deposit change by calling employee at a trusted number
- Speak to employee in person to confirm direct deposit change
We are alerting all our clients to please be very vigilant when receiving an email from one of your employees asking to change their banking information. Make sure to get VERBAL CONFIRMATION from the employee that the email came from them, even if it appears to be their email address!