March 10, 2025
As tax season approaches, businesses are busy preparing financial documents, filing returns, and meeting tight deadlines. Unfortunately, this hectic time provides cybercriminals with an ideal opportunity to strike, as business owners and employees are often preoccupied.
Hackers are constantly looking for ways to exploit sensitive data, scam businesses, and create disruption. In this blog, we'll discuss why tax season gives cybercriminals an advantage and how you can stay ahead of them.
Why Tax Season Attracts Cybercriminals
1. Increased Exchange Of Sensitive Data
Tax season involves sharing sensitive financial and personal information, both within organizations and with external parties like accountants or payroll providers. This creates multiple vulnerabilities for hackers to exploit, particularly through phishing emails.
2. Tight Deadlines Lead To Mistakes
With the pressure of meeting deadlines, employees may overlook double-checking emails, links, or file attachments. This can make it easier for phishing scams and malware to infiltrate.
3. Higher Volume Of E-mails
During tax season, businesses deal with a surge of emails regarding forms, payment requests, and compliance updates. Cybercriminals take advantage of this by sending convincing phishing emails that appear legitimate, aiming to intercept sensitive data.
4. Widespread Scams Targeting Taxpayers
Hackers frequently impersonate trusted entities such as the IRS or tax preparation services to deceive businesses into sharing confidential information or making fraudulent payments.
Common Tax Season Threats You Need To Watch Out For
- Phishing E-mails: Fraudulent messages pretending to be from the IRS, your bookkeeper, or a tax service, asking for sensitive information or directing you to malicious links.
- Fake Invoices Or Payment Requests: Scammers send counterfeit invoices or payment demands to trick businesses into wiring money.
- Ransomware Attacks: Hackers may encrypt critical financial data and demand a ransom to release it.
- Social Engineering: Phone calls or emails impersonating accountants, payroll providers, or other trusted contacts to extract information.
How To Protect Your Business This Tax Season
1. Train Your Team
Educate employees about the latest scams and how to identify phishing attempts. Teach them to:
- Verify email senders before opening attachments or clicking links.
- Be cautious of urgent payment requests or unusual account updates.
- Report suspicious emails immediately.
2. Secure Your Communications
Ensure that all data exchanges are encrypted, particularly when sharing sensitive tax documents. Utilize secure portals or file-sharing tools instead of email whenever possible.
3. Implement Multifactor Authentication (MFA)
Require MFA for access to financial systems, email accounts, and any platforms used for tax-related activities. This adds an extra layer of security, even if credentials are compromised. It is crucial to set this feature up whenever it is available.
4. Conduct A Cybersecurity Audit
Collaborate with your IT provider to identify vulnerabilities in your systems before hackers can exploit them. Focus on:
- Updating software and applying patches.
- Securing network endpoints and devices.
- Verifying data backup integrity.
5. Verify All Financial Requests
Double-check payment requests, especially those involving large sums or sensitive accounts. Confirm via a secondary communication method (e.g., a phone call) to ensure authenticity.
Don't Let Hackers Score This Tax Season
Tax season doesn't have to be a hunting ground for hackers. By staying alert, educating your team, and implementing proactive cybersecurity measures, you can safeguard your business from becoming a victim.
Let's make sure the only thing you're filing this
season is a successful tax return - not a cybersecurity incident report. Start
with a FREE 15-Minute Discovery Call to uncover potential vulnerabilities and
ensure your systems are ready to handle whatever comes your way.
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