--- 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 Build A Business Case For Manufacturing IT Projects Without Overcomplicating It](https://blog.integrityts.com/manufacturing-it-business-case/) Manufacturing IT projects are easier to justify when you stop treating them like technology... ### [Manufacturing Cybersecurity Without The Jargon: A Plain-English Guide For Operations Leaders](https://blog.integrityts.com/manufacturing-cybersecurity-plain-english/) Manufacturers don’t need a cybersecurity program built around buzzwords. They need technology that... ### [What Bank Cybersecurity Auditors Are Really Looking For](https://blog.integrityts.com/what-bank-cybersecurity-auditors-are-really-looking-for) Cybersecurity auditors are looking for more than technical problems or opportunities to issue... ## CONTACT US ### PROTECT YOUR BUSINESS. Integrity helps businesses dealing with sensitive data protect against looming cybersecurity threats. ### Address: 816 South Eldorado Road, Suite #4 Bloomington, IL 61704 ### Call Us: [+1 309.662.7723](tel:13096627723) ### Email: [info@integrityts.com](mailto:info@integrityts.com) [![x](https://blog.integrityts.com/hs-fs/hubfs/IntegrityTechnologySolutions_February2026/images/x.png?width=512&name=x.png "x")](https://x.com/integrityts) #### Customers: Need Assistance Now? ### Call Customer Support: [+1 888.764.8181](tel:18887648181) ### Email Customer Support: [remotefix@integrityts.com](mailto:remotefix@integrityts.com) #### Information & Sales [![Integrity Technology Solutions](https://blog.integrityts.com/hubfs/IntegrityTechnologySolutions_February2026/images/footer-logo.svg "Integrity Technology Solutions")](https://www.integrityts.com/) - [Who We Are](https://www.integrityts.com/who-we-are/) - [Industries](https://www.integrityts.com/industries/) - [Services](https://www.integrityts.com/services/) - [Pricing](https://www.integrityts.com/pricing/) - [Blog](https://blog.integrityts.com/) ©2026 [Integrity Technology Solutions](https://www.integrityts.com/). - [Privacy Policy](https://www.integrityts.com/privacy-policy/) - [Terms & Conditions](https://www.integrityts.com/terms-and-conditions/) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Scott Stevens", "url" : "https://blog.integrityts.com/author/scott-stevens" }, "dateModified" : "2020-10-14T16:20:03.249Z", "datePublished" : "2017-01-30T16:00:00.000Z", "headline" : "Tax Season Phishing – Don’t Take the Bait!", "image" : [ "https://blog.integrityts.com/hubfs/Images/taxform.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.integrityts.com/tax-season-phishing-dont-take-the-bait", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.integrityts.com/hubfs/Logos/integrity_1000x187.png" }, "name" : "Integrity Technology Solutions" } } ```