March 16, 2026
March has arrived.
Accountants are swamped, bookkeepers are overwhelmed, and looming deadlines create chaos. Inboxes flood with emails that seem impossible to manage.
Everyone is focused, just trying to survive the busy season.
This is familiar territory.
But so are hackers.
Security experts report a dramatic surge in phishing attacks during tax season, with March seeing nearly a 28% rise in tax-related scam emails. These are not flashy schemes; they're crafted to blend seamlessly with typical business communications, hitting when everyone is rushed.
This is no accident.
It's strategic timing.
Here's what to expect and four essential strategies to protect your business from becoming a target.
Chaos in the Supply Chain
What many overlook is this:
Hackers don't only focus on accounting firms.
They exploit the surrounding busy and disorderly environment.
During tax season:
- Clients hurriedly send sensitive information
- Employees often skip standard checks to keep pace
- Requests like "Just send me the file" replace usual caution
- Verification processes are neglected due to overwhelm
This accelerated workflow is where vulnerabilities emerge.
Hackers target busy—not careful—businesses.
March is the perfect storm.
How These Attacks Appear
This isn't fiction.
It's an email indistinguishable from legitimate ones in your inbox.
- A message "from your accountant" asking to resend W-2s due to a problem
- A vendor email notifying a change in bank details
- A DocuSign request demanding your signature on a tax document today
- An urgent note "from your CEO" needing immediate assistance while traveling
None of these raise alarms.
They mirror typical business communications in March.
That's why they succeed.
Why Busy Professionals Fall Victim
This isn't about carelessness.
It's about human nature.
Under pressure, people skim emails, assume authenticity, and respond quickly.
Scammers exploit this.
Their emails are crafted for hurried eyes, relying on missing one subtle detail.
They don't need recklessness, just haste.
And during March, everyone is rushing.
Four Simple Steps to Avoid Being an Easy Mark
The good news: no expensive software or security experts required to lower your risk.
Just a few deliberate habits during busy periods can make a big difference.
1. Confirm payment updates by phone
If an email claims vendor bank info changed, don't reply via email.
Call a trusted number to verify verbally.
This simple habit blocks some of the costliest scams.
2. Pause on requests for sensitive data
Urgency is a red flag — take a moment before rushing.
If someone demands W-2s, tax records, or financial files immediately, verify first.
Genuine requests tolerate brief delays; scams don't.
3. Validate "urgent" asks via another channel
Receive an urgent email? Confirm with a quick phone call, text, or internal chat.
True emergencies withstand a quick check; fraudulent ones collapse.
4. Alert your team with a quick reminder
This week, warn your staff: tax season brings a rise in scams.
Encourage them to slow down, verify details, and question anything suspicious.
This simple mindset shift can save hours of cleanup.
The Bottom Line
Tax season is stressful enough—don't add "scammed" to your worries.
These seasonal attacks aren't ingenious. They're perfectly timed.
They depend on rushed decisions,
assumptions, and
everyone powering through the busiest month.
A complete system overhaul isn't necessary to stay safe.
Simply slow down when it counts and double-check urgent requests.
That's often all it takes.
Busy-Season Security Checkup
Your company might already follow strong security habits, which is excellent.
If tax season pushes your team into reactive modes or if urgent requests create uncertainty, consider a quick sanity check with a free 15-Minute Discovery Call.
No pressure, no fear tactics—just a clear analysis of how small habit changes can prevent big headaches during peak season.
If this advice doesn't fit your business, please share it with someone who might benefit.
Click here or give us a call at 801-356-9333 to schedule your free 15-Minute Discovery Call.
