Security News > 2024 > March > Tax-related scams escalate as filing deadline approaches
As the April 15, 2024 tax filing deadline approaches in the US, some old and some new tax-related scams targeting both taxpayers and tax professionals.
The IRS has warned tax professionals about a "New client" scam where cybercriminals pose as potential clients via email, seemingly seeking assistance with tax preparation.
"Some scammers may also load malware onto the tax pro's computer to gain access to their system - and their clients' data. Scammers may also use that tax professional's hacked email account to target clients."
Another scam involves attackers contacting tax professionals via email, with the intention to steal Electronic Filing Identification Numbers.
"Scammers are posing as tax software providers and requesting EFIN documents from tax professionals under the guise of a required verification to transmit tax returns. These thieves attempt to steal client data and tax preparers' identities, creating the potential for them to file fraudulent tax returns for refunds," the agency explained.
"Many countries across the world all have tax filing deadlines around the same time - Japan's is just around the corner on March 15, in the US it's April 15, and several countries all share an April 30 filing deadline. So, adversaries all over the globe are going to be leveraging tax-related topics in their spam emails and social engineering campaigns in the coming weeks, trying to steal money, infect devices with malware, or steal critical personal information," notes Jonathan Munshaw, content manager at Cisco Talos Intelligence Group.