Cybercriminals Love Tax Season
Here’s How to Outsmart Them
Tax season is stressful enough without cybercriminals trying to steal your data or scam your business. Unfortunately, they know this is when business owners and employees are juggling deadlines, paperwork, and countless emails—making it the perfect time to strike.
The good news? A little awareness and a few smart precautions can keep your business safe. Here’s what you need to watch out for and how to stay one step ahead.
Why Hackers Love Tax Season
More Sensitive Data Flying Around
You’re sharing financial details with accountants, payroll providers, and tax services—often over email. That’s a goldmine for hackers looking to intercept personal and business data.
Rushed Decisions = Costly Mistakes
Tax deadlines make people less careful. In a hurry, it’s easy to click on a fake email or download a malicious attachment.
Phishing Emails Are More Convincing
With so many tax-related emails coming in, cybercriminals take advantage by sending fake ones that look legit. They might pretend to be the IRS, your accountant, or even your payroll provider.
Fake IRS Scams Are Everywhere
Hackers love to impersonate tax agencies, sending emails or making phone calls demanding immediate payment or sensitive details. If it sounds urgent and scary, it’s probably a scam.
Common Tax Season Scams
🚨 Phishing Emails – Fake IRS, bookkeeper, or tax service messages asking for sensitive data or pushing malicious links.
🚨 Fake Invoices & Payment Requests – Scammers posing as vendors or partners tricking businesses into wiring money.
🚨 Ransomware Attacks – Hackers locking your financial data and demanding a ransom to get it back.
🚨 Social Engineering – Calls or emails pretending to be accountants or payroll providers to extract information.
How To Protect Your Business
✅ Train Your Team
Make sure employees know how to spot scams:
- Verify email senders before clicking links or opening attachments.
- Be suspicious of urgent payment requests.
- Report anything that seems off.
✅ Use Secure File Sharing
Never email sensitive tax documents. Instead, use encrypted file-sharing tools or secure portals.
✅ Turn On Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
If a hacker gets your password, MFA can still block them. Enable it on financial accounts, email, and anything tax-related.
✅ Do A Security Check-Up
Ask your IT team to review:
- Software updates and security patches.
- Network and device protections.
- Data backup systems (because ransomware is real).
✅ Verify All Financial Requests
If you get an email asking for money or sensitive data, confirm it another way—like a quick phone call.
Don’t Let Hackers Win This Tax Season
Staying safe doesn’t have to be complicated. A little caution goes a long way in keeping your business secure during tax season.
Want to make sure your cybersecurity is up to par? Get a FREE Network Assessment to check for weak spots before hackers find them.