Beware of Phishing Scams

At this time of year, identity thieves use many types of phishing scams to try to access the data of tax professionals.  One of those schemes involves a phishing email that purports to be from a potential new client.

Such emails are typically from someone who is unknown to the practitioner, and the email typically has no phone number or other way to contact the sender, other than by replying to the email.  Sometimes, the initial email includes an attachment.

The identity thief is typically seeking to lure the practitioner to open the initial attachment or to begin a string of emails that will eventually lead to such an attachment being sent to the practitioner.  The attachments often contain malicious software designed to allow the identity thief to access the practitioner’s client data.

Be on guard for this and other phishing scams.  Think before you click!