--- title: Tax Season Phishing – Don’t Take the Bait! description: Watch out for phishing scams during tax season image: https://blog.integrityts.com/hubfs/Images/taxform.jpg --- [![Integrity Technology Solutions](https://blog.integrityts.com/hs-fs/hubfs/IntegrityTechnologySolutions_February2026/images/integrity_color_logo.png?width=284&height=53&name=integrity_color_logo.png "Integrity Technology Solutions")](https://www.integrityts.com/) - [Who We Are](https://www.integrityts.com/who-we-are/) - [Our Team](https://www.integrityts.com/who-we-are/our-team/) - [Partners & Certifications](https://www.integrityts.com/who-we-are/partners-certifications/) - [NIST Cybersecurity Framework](https://www.integrityts.com/who-we-are/nist-cybersecurity-framework/) - [Careers](https://www.integrityts.com/careers/) - [Industries](https://www.integrityts.com/industries/) - [Financial Institutions](https://www.integrityts.com/industries/financial-institutions/) - [Healthcare](https://www.integrityts.com/industries/healthcare/) - [Insurance](https://www.integrityts.com/industries/insurance/) - [Manufacturing](https://www.integrityts.com/industries/manufacturing/) - [Services](https://www.integrityts.com/services/) - [Co-Managed IT Support](https://www.integrityts.com/services/co-managed-it-support/) - [IT Cybersecurity](https://www.integrityts.com/services/it-cybersecurity/) - [IT Support](https://www.integrityts.com/services/it-support/) - [Technology Advisement](https://www.integrityts.com/services/it-support/technology-advisement/) - [Managed Security](https://www.integrityts.com/services/it-support/managed-security/) - [RemoteFix Help Desk](https://www.integrityts.com/services/it-support/remotefix-help-desk/) - [Security Awareness Program](https://www.integrityts.com/services/it-support/security-awareness-program/) - [Managed Cloud Security](https://www.integrityts.com/services/it-support/managed-cloud-security/) - [Vulnerability Management](https://www.integrityts.com/services/it-support/vulnerability-management/) - [Managed Detection & Response](https://www.integrityts.com/services/it-support/managed-detection-response/) - [Managed Backup & Disaster Recovery](https://www.integrityts.com/services/it-support/managed-backup-disaster-recovery/) - [Teams Phones (Voice)](https://www.integrityts.com/services/it-support/teams-phones-voice/) - [IT Tool Kit](https://www.integrityts.com/services/it-support/it-tool-kit/) - [Password Management / LAPS – Copy](https://www.integrityts.com/services/it-support/password-management-laps/) - [Secure Cloud / Hosted Infrastructure](https://www.integrityts.com/services/it-support/secure-cloud-hosted-infrastructure/) - [Microsoft 365 Licensing/New Commerce Experience](https://www.integrityts.com/services/it-support/microsoft-365-licensing-new-commerce-experience/) - [IT Professional Services & Consulting](https://www.integrityts.com/services/it-professional-services-consulting/) - [Network Infrastructure](https://www.integrityts.com/services/it-professional-services-consulting/network-infrastructure/) - [Cloud Migrations](https://www.integrityts.com/services/it-professional-services-consulting/cloud-migrations/) - [Incident Response](https://www.integrityts.com/services/it-professional-services-consulting/incident-response/) - [SharePoint Consulting](https://www.integrityts.com/services/it-professional-services-consulting/sharepoint-consulting/) - [Security Risk Assessments](https://www.integrityts.com/services/it-professional-services-consulting/security-risk-assessments/) - [Tabletop Exercises](https://www.integrityts.com/services/it-professional-services-consulting/tabletop-exercises/) - [AI Capabilities](https://www.integrityts.com/services/it-professional-services-consulting/ai-capabilities/) - [Administrative Policies & Controls](https://www.integrityts.com/services/it-professional-services-consulting/administrative-policies-controls/) - [HIPAA Risk Assessments](https://www.integrityts.com/services/it-professional-services-consulting/hipaa-risk-assessments/) - [MIPS Consulting](https://www.integrityts.com/services/it-professional-services-consulting/mips-consulting/) - [SAFER Guides Consulting](https://www.integrityts.com/services/it-professional-services-consulting/safer-guides-consulting/) - [Pricing](https://www.integrityts.com/pricing/) - [Blog](https://blog.integrityts.com/) - [Contact](https://www.integrityts.com/contact/) # Blog ## Tax Season Phishing – Don’t Take the Bait! [Scott Stevens](https://blog.integrityts.com/author/scott-stevens) January 30, 2017 at 10:00 AM ![taxform.jpg](https://blog.integrityts.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Images/taxform.jpg?width=777&height=406&name=taxform.jpg) This is the time of year that taxes are on our minds. Whether from the business’ perspective of preparing and sending W2’s, to the individual looking forward to a refund, it is tax time. Tax time is a golden opportunity for criminals to steal identities, tax refunds, credit card numbers, and credentials. In 2016, the IRS reported a whopping 400% increase in phishing scams, and 2017 will see new and more sophisticated schemes.  Phishing is a scam where criminals send carefully crafted email messages or direct you to web sites that seem to be legitimate, only to steal your identity or to distribute malicious software. An example might be an email message from the IRS about a problem with your tax return, or an email offering you electronic access to download your W2. These messages will appear to come from the IRS or from your employer’s payroll department – don’t take the bait!   #### [DOWNLOAD NOW: 4 Most Common Phishing Scams (And What You Can Do About Them)](https://content.integrityts.com/4-most-common-phishing-attacks-in-financial-services-ebook)   If you receive a message about tax or payroll matters, pick up the phone and confirm the message’s legitimacy. Never reply, open attachments, or click on links unless you are certain of the source. Remember, the IRS will never initiate communications with taxpayers electronically (email, social media, or text). Be wary if you are ever prompted to enter your login information or send anything that is confidential. Criminals prey on emotion, and money makes us emotional!  [![4 most common phishing attacks and what you can do about them](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2136188/2abcaf12-d47c-4d97-b638-c6de03ba8318.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2136188/2abcaf12-d47c-4d97-b638-c6de03ba8318) [Security](https://blog.integrityts.com/topic/security) ### Leave a Reply ## Read On ### [How To Roll Out IT Changes In A Manufacturing Plant Without Disrupting Production](https://blog.integrityts.com/manufacturing-it-implementation-without-downtime) Roll out IT changes in a manufacturing plant by identifying what production depends on, scheduling... ### [How To Evaluate IT And Cybersecurity Vendors For A Manufacturing Environment](https://blog.integrityts.com/evaluate-it-vendors-manufacturing) Choosing an IT or cybersecurity provider for a manufacturing company is not simply a matter of... ### [Do You Need An Internal IT Hire Or A Manufacturing-Focused IT Partner?](https://blog.integrityts.com/internal-it-vs-it-partner-manufacturing) When a manufacturing company reaches the point where informal IT support is no longer enough, the... ## CONTACT US ### PROTECT YOUR BUSINESS. 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