March 16, 2026
It's March — the crunch time for accountants and bookkeepers alike.
Your accounting team is overwhelmed. Your bookkeepers are racing against the clock. Deadlines loom large, and inboxes overflow with urgent emails.
Everyone's heads are down, focused solely on pushing through this hectic month.
You know this all too well.
But so do cybercriminals.
Security analysts repeatedly observe a dramatic rise in phishing attacks during tax season, with March alone seeing about a 28% surge in tax-related scam emails compared to quieter periods. These deceptive emails are crafted to blend seamlessly with everyday business communications, striking when teams are at their busiest.
This isn't by chance.
It's strategic timing.
Here's what to expect and four straightforward strategies to ensure your business isn't an easy mark.
The Chaotic Supply Chain
Most overlook this fact:
Hackers aren't aiming only at accounting teams.
They exploit the disorder surrounding tax season.
During tax season:
- Clients hurry to submit sensitive paperwork
- Staff skip standard verifications due to the workload
- "Just send it over" replaces cautious procedures
- Verification steps get overlooked amid the rush
The entire process accelerates.
And it's speed that breeds errors.
Cybercriminals don't target steady, careful businesses.
They go after the frantic.
March is busier than ever.
What These Scams Look Like
This isn't fiction.
These are emails that appear indistinguishable from the ones you receive daily.
- A message "from your accountant" asking to resend W-2 forms due to a lost file
- A vendor notifying you of new bank account details needing immediate update
- A DocuSign request demanding urgent signature for tax papers
- An urgent note "from your CEO" traveling and requesting immediate assistance
They don't raise alarms.
They feel like typical March business communications.
That's why they succeed.
Why Busy Professionals Fall for These
This isn't carelessness;
It's human nature.
Faced with overflowing inboxes and pressing deadlines, people skim rather than scrutinize, make assumptions, and react quickly.
Scammers leverage this behavior.
Their emails are crafted to fool those moving too fast to spot subtle inconsistencies. They don't need recklessness; they thrive on busyness.
And in March, most are racing against the clock.
Four Easy Steps to Avoid Becoming a Target
The good news? You don't need complex software or an expert security team to lower your risk.
Just cultivate a few deliberate habits during peak times.
1. Confirm payment changes by phone
If you receive an email about updated vendor bank info, don't reply directly.
Call a known contact number to verify.
This simple step can block some of the most costly business scams.
2. Pause before sending sensitive data
Urgent requests should be a sign to slow down, not speed up.
If asked for W-2s or financial records "immediately," double-check first.
Genuine requests tolerate brief delays; scammers won't.
3. Verify "urgent" messages through another means
For supposed urgent emails, follow up with a call, text, or chat.
This quick check can stop a costly mistake before it starts.
True urgency survives a short verification; fake urgency doesn't.
4. Alert your team about scam risks
This week, remind your staff that tax season increases scam attempts.
Encourage them to slow down, confirm details, and ask questions if something feels off.
This small cultural shift prevents major headaches later.
Key Takeaway
Tax season is demanding enough without adding the burden of a scam.
These attacks aren't ingenious—they're perfectly timed.
They count on rushed decisions.
They exploit assumptions.
They prey on the March rush.
You don't have to revamp your systems to stay safe.
Just slow down and verify when urgency strikes.
Often, that's all it takes.
Quick Busy-Season Security Check
Your business might already follow strong security habits—and if so, excellent.
But if tax season tends to push your team into reactive mode, or you're unsure how urgent requests are handled under pressure, consider a quick sanity check with a free 15-Minute Discovery Call.
No scare tactics. No sales pressure. Just an honest assessment of whether small habit changes could prevent big problems this tax season.
If this message doesn't fit your business, feel free to share with someone it might help.
Click here or give us a call at (541) 726-7775 to schedule your free 15-Minute Discovery Call.
