✋ This is another type of identity theft

❌ Scammers are using personal information to trick companies into diverting direct deposit payments

🧐 Companies, as well as workers, need to be careful


Do you get your paycheck deposited electronically into your checking or savings account?

New Jersey cybersecurity officials are warning Garden State workers and companies about a new direct deposit scam.

According to Krista Valenzuela, a cyber threat intelligence analyst with the New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell, threat actors are impersonating employees who work within a business or organization.

She said they’re emailing the payroll or HR department stating they need to update their direct deposit information.

They’re not who they say they are

“These fraudulent actors of course are not legitimate employees, and if that direct deposit information is changed that employee’s payroll check will go to those threat actors,” she said.

“They are switching account information and are essentially stealing that individual’s payroll check.”

How can they do that?

She said scammers can get an employee’s information in a number of different ways.

“It could be directly from that business or organization’s website, or could be from a place like Linkedin, they can find this information pretty simply,” said Valenzuela.

GettyImages anyaberkut
GettyImages anyaberkut
loading...

Where does the money go?

Thie scammers will often set up real bank accounts where the payroll checks are diverted to. Once the funds are received, they close the accounts.

She noted typically this is a “one and done” type of scam because the real employee will quickly ask their company why they haven’t been paid.

“And in those cases that business or organization will be out of two payroll checks, because they do have to give their employee their payroll, of course.”

She said businesses can prevent this from happening by “making sure to call an employee on the number you have on record for them to verify any requested changes to their direct deposit.”

Valenzuela said businesses need to be aware this is happening and “the way to help combat this type of scam is really just to change procedures and make sure that you’re verifying any request for changes.”

David Matthau is a reporter for New Jersey 101.5. You can reach him at david.matthau@townsquaremedia.com

Click here to contact an editor about feedback or a correction for this story.

RANKED: Here Are the 63 Smartest Dog Breeds

Does your loyal pup's breed make the list? Read on to see if you'll be bragging to the neighbors about your dog's intellectual prowess the next time you take your fur baby out for a walk. Don't worry: Even if your dog's breed doesn't land on the list, that doesn't mean he's not a good boy--some traits simply can't be measured.

LOOK: What are the odds that these 50 totally random events will happen to you?

Stacker took the guesswork out of 50 random events to determine just how likely they are to actually happen. They sourced their information from government statistics, scientific articles, and other primary documents. Keep reading to find out why expectant parents shouldn't count on due dates -- and why you should be more worried about dying on your birthday than living to 100 years old.

Here's where NJ legal weed is sold

The number of recreational cannabis dispensaries continues to grow, with close to two dozen state approvals given since the first adult recreational sales in the state back in April. Here is where the open sites are located.

More From 94.5 PST