Tax season is stressful enough without cybercriminals lurking in the background, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. While you’re busy gathering financial documents, meeting deadlines, and filing returns, hackers see this as an opportunity to steal sensitive data, scam businesses, and cause chaos.
Today, we’re breaking down why tax season is prime time for cybercriminals and, more importantly, what you can do to stay ahead of them.
Why Hackers Target Businesses During Tax Season
1️⃣ There’s More Sensitive Data Flying Around
Businesses exchange a ton of financial and personal information this time of year—internally and with accountants, payroll providers, and other third parties. This creates more opportunities for hackers to intercept sensitive data, often through phishing emails.
2️⃣ Deadlines = More Mistakes
When employees are racing to meet tax deadlines, they’re more likely to overlook red flags. Scammers take full advantage of this by sending fake emails, links, and attachments that seem legit but are designed to steal information.
3️⃣ An Inbox Overflowing With Tax-Related Emails
With so many tax forms, invoices, and compliance updates filling up inboxes, it’s easy to miss the difference between a real email and a fake one. Hackers create convincing phishing emails that look just like the real thing—tricking employees into clicking malicious links or sharing credentials.
4️⃣ Scams Disguised As Official Requests
Cybercriminals often pose as the IRS, tax preparers, or financial institutions to pressure businesses into handing over confidential information or making fraudulent payments.
Watch Out For These Common Tax Season Scams
🔹 Phishing Emails – Fake messages pretending to be from the IRS, your accountant, or a tax service, asking for sensitive info or linking to malicious sites.
🔹 Fake Invoices & Payment Requests – Fraudsters send invoices or payment demands that look real, tricking businesses into wiring money.
🔹 Ransomware Attacks – Hackers lock down your financial data and demand payment to release it.
🔹 Social Engineering Scams – Cybercriminals pose as trusted contacts (like payroll providers or accountants) to gain access to confidential information.
How To Keep Your Business Secure This Tax Season
✅ Train Your Team
Make sure employees know how to spot scams and avoid phishing attempts:
Always verify email senders before clicking links or downloading attachments.
Be cautious of urgent payment requests or unexpected account changes.
Report anything suspicious ASAP.
✅ Secure How You Share Data
Avoid sending sensitive tax documents via email. Instead, use encrypted file-sharing tools or secure client portals to keep information protected.
✅ Enable Multifactor Authentication (MFA)
MFA adds an extra layer of security to financial accounts, email, and tax-related platforms. If a hacker gets hold of a password, MFA makes it much harder for them to gain access. If it’s available, use it!
✅ Conduct A Cybersecurity Audit
Get ahead of potential threats by working with your IT provider to check for vulnerabilities, such as:
Outdated software or missing security patches.
Unprotected network devices.
Weak data backup strategies.
✅ Double-Check Payment Requests
Before sending payments or sharing sensitive financial details, confirm the request through a second method—like a phone call—to make sure it’s legit.
Don’t Let Hackers Take Advantage Of Tax Season
A little caution goes a long way in keeping your business safe during tax time. By staying alert, educating your team, and strengthening your cybersecurity, you can focus on filing your taxes—not dealing with a data breach.
🔒 Want to make sure your business is protected? Schedule a FREE Network Assessment today to uncover potential security risks and keep cybercriminals out.
Click here to book your free assessment now!
