Tax season may be behind us, but for cybercriminals, the opportunity is just getting started.

Every year, the weeks following the April tax deadline bring a surge in phishing attacks. Why? Because people are still thinking about taxes, expecting refunds or worried they may have made a mistake. Attackers take advantage of that uncertainty - and they’re getting more convincing every year.

Why Post-Tax Season is Prime Time for Scams

Cybercriminals know that after filing:

• Many individuals and businesses are waiting on refunds

• Some are expecting follow-up communication from accountants or the IRS

• Others may be unsure if everything was filed correctly

That uncertainty creates the perfect environment for phishing emails that look urgent, legitimate, and just believable enough to click.

Common Scams to Watch For

Here are a few of the most common tactics we see this time of year:

📩 “Refund” Notifications

Emails claiming you’re owed additional money, prompting you to click a link or provide banking details.

⚠️ “Action Required” Alerts

Messages stating your return was rejected or flagged, urging immediate action to avoid penalties.

🧾 Fake Tax Documents

Attachments disguised as updated forms, reports, or confirmations that actually contain malware.

👤 Spoofed Contacts

Emails that appear to come from your accountant, payroll provider, or even internal team members.

How to Spot the Red Flags

Even the most convincing phishing emails usually have subtle warning signs:

• Unusual sender addresses or slight misspellings

• Generic greetings instead of your name

• Urgent or threatening language

• Links that don’t match the organization’s real website

• Unexpected attachments

When in doubt - don’t click. Verify through a trusted source instead.

What This Means for Your Business

It only takes one click to create a serious issue:

• Compromised credentials

• Unauthorized access to financial systems

• Data breaches

• Costly downtime

And during busy seasons like tax time, employees are more likely to act quickly without double-checking.

How to Stay Protected

A few simple steps can dramatically reduce your risk:

• Provide regular phishing awareness training

• Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA)

• Implement email filtering and threat protection tools

• Encourage a “pause and verify” culture across your team

Don’t Let Your Guard Down

Cyber threats don’t follow a calendar - and attackers count on you letting your guard down once tax season is over.

Staying alert now is just as important as it was before filing.

Need help strengthening your email security or training your team? Info Advantage can help you identify risks and put the right protections in place - before the next phishing attempt hits.