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State Warns Ohio Employers Of Tax Scam Seeking Payroll Data

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State officials are warning Ohio employers about a scheme involving emails sent from people posing as company officials to request confidential payroll data.

The state's taxation department said Monday that payroll and human resources offices at various companies nationwide - including some in Ohio - have recently received emails requesting the data. The messages appear to come from the CEO or other top executives.

The taxation department says scammers use payroll and W-2 information to file fraudulent tax returns. 

Officials say more than 30 companies, including three in Ohio, have fallen for the scam, resulting in the theft of tax information for thousands of current and former employees.

Ohio's attorney general says his office has seen a jump in reports of IRS impostor scams since March 1. 

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