March 16, 2026
March is here.
Your accountant is overwhelmed. Your bookkeeper is rushing. Deadlines are closing in fast. Emails flood the inbox, making it hard to keep pace.
Everyone is focused on powering through this intense period.
This scenario is all too familiar.
But it's not just you who notices.
Cybercriminals track this surge closely. Security analysts report a sharp rise—about 28% more phishing scams—during tax season. These threats cleverly mimic routine business emails, appearing amidst the March rush.
This spike isn't random.
It's strategic timing.
Here's what to anticipate—and four straightforward tactics to keep your business secure.
Protecting the Overloaded Supply Chain
What often goes unnoticed:
Hackers don't just target accounting departments.
They exploit the surrounding chaos.
During tax season:
- Clients hastily send sensitive files
- Employees skip essential checks to stay afloat
- "Just send it over" replaces usual protocols
- Verification processes are neglected due to workload
The entire system accelerates.
And with speed comes vulnerability.
Hackers don't seek calm, methodical targets—they prey on overwhelmed businesses.
March fits this profile perfectly.
How These Attacks Appear
This isn't fiction.
The phishing emails blend seamlessly into your inbox.
- An email from "your accountant" requesting a resend of W-2 forms due to a processing error
- A vendor email claiming bank details have changed and need immediate update
- A DocuSign prompt to sign a tax document "today"
- An urgent plea from "your CEO" needing assistance while traveling
None of these messages raise immediate suspicion.
They feel like standard March business communications.
That's precisely why they're effective.
Why Busy Professionals Fall for Them
It's not about negligence.
It's about human nature.
Faced with overflowing inboxes and tight deadlines, people tend to scan rather than scrutinize. They make assumptions and react swiftly.
Scammers capitalize on this.
Their tactics target those moving too fast to spot subtle discrepancies. They don't require carelessness—just a busy mind.
And in March, almost everyone is busy.
Four Easy Steps to Avoid Being a Target
The great news: No complex tech or security teams necessary.
A few mindful habits during hectic periods will dramatically reduce your risk.
1. Confirm payment updates by phone
When you receive email notifications about vendor bank account changes, don't reply directly.
Instead, call a contact number you trust to verify the updates.
This simple practice blocks some of the costliest scams businesses face.
2. Pause before fulfilling sensitive info requests
Urgency is a warning sign, not an excuse to hurry.
If someone demands W-2s, tax files, or financial documents "immediately," take a moment to confirm.
Real requests tolerate brief delays; fraudulent ones won't.
3. Verify urgent emails through another channel
For any email marked urgent, double-check by calling, texting, or messaging internally.
This small step can stop a costly mistake before it happens.
Genuine emergencies withstand quick verifications; scams collapse.
4. Alert your team about tax season risks
Remind your staff that this season is prime for scams.
Encourage them to slow down and validate unusual requests.
This small cultural shift prevents many future headaches.
Key Takeaway
Tax season is already stressful—don't add a security breach to the mix.
Most attacks this month aren't sophisticated, just perfectly timed.
They prey on rushing minds.
They rely on assumptions.
They depend on everyone pushing hard through March.
You don't need to overhaul your entire system.
Just slow down and double-check when urgency strikes.
That simple precaution goes a long way.
Busy Season Safety Check
Your company might already follow solid security habits—and if so, that's excellent.
However, if tax time often pushes your team into reactive mode or you're unsure how they handle urgent tasks under pressure, consider a quick security review with a free 10-Minute Discovery Call.
No gimmicks. No sales pitch. Just an honest evaluation to identify small changes that could prevent big issues this season.
If this doesn't apply to you, please share it with someone who'd benefit.
Click here or give us a call at 323-410-7785 to schedule your free 10-Minute Discovery Call.
