Protect Yourself From Scams 

A Message to Our Clients

Scams are becoming more sophisticated, and artificial intelligence is making it easier for criminals to create messages that look and sound remarkably real.

We want our clients to be especially careful with emails, text messages, phone calls, and online documents that appear to come from someone they know.

A message can look completely legitimate and still be a scam.

The New Generation of Phishing Scams

In the past, many scam emails were easy to spot because they contained poor spelling, strange wording, or obviously suspicious requests.

That is changing.

Criminals can now use artificial intelligence to create highly personalized messages. If they gain access to someone's email account, they may be able to read previous conversations and determine:

• Who you communicate with

• What you have been discussing

• What documents you normally exchange

• Names of clients, employees, vendors, or family members

• The tone and wording normally used in your conversations

• What the logical next step in the conversation might be

The scammer can then create a message that appears to be a natural continuation of a legitimate conversation.

For example, you might receive an email that appears to be from someone you have been working with saying:

"Here is the document we discussed. Please take a look when you have a chance."

The message may contain a Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive, or other file-sharing link.

Because the message fits an actual conversation you have been having, it may be much harder to recognize as fraudulent.

Be Careful With Dropbox, OneDrive & Other File-Sharing Links

A link to a familiar service does not necessarily mean the message is legitimate.

Scammers can use legitimate file-sharing services, or create fake websites that look like familiar services, to trick you into entering your email address and password.

Be particularly cautious when a message asks you to:

• Review a document you were not expecting

• Sign a document

• Download a tax document

• View a shared folder

• "Verify" your account

• Re-enter your password

• Open an unexpected PDF or other attachment

• Click a link to access a file

If you were not expecting the document, verify it before clicking.

You can always call our office to verify if we have sent you the document or link. 

Email Account Takeover Is Especially Dangerous

If a criminal gains access to someone's email account, they may not simply send spam from it.

They may quietly monitor conversations and use information from real emails to impersonate the account owner.

This can lead to highly convincing requests involving:

• Bank account changes

• Invoices and payments

• Tax documents

• W-2s and 1099s

• Social Security numbers

• Business information

• Wire transfers or ACH payments

• Password resets

• Shared documents

If you receive an unusual request involving money, banking information, passwords, or sensitive documents, do not rely solely on the email conversation to verify it.

Call the person using a phone number you already have and trust.

Watch for Fake IRS Messages

The IRS continues to warn taxpayers about impersonation scams involving email, text messages, phone calls, social media, and fake websites.

Scammers may claim that:

• You are owed a refund

• Your tax return has a problem

• You need to verify your identity

• Your IRS account will be suspended

• You owe an immediate payment

• You need to provide personal information

• You have an unclaimed refund

The IRS also warns about fake QR codes and AI-generated impersonation calls.

Do not click links in unexpected IRS messages or provide personal or financial information in response to them.

When in doubt, go directly to the official IRS website by typing IRS.gov into your browser rather than using a link in an email or text.

Beware of Fake Tax Advice Online

Social media has become another source of tax scams.

Be cautious of videos, posts, advertisements, or individuals claiming that you can receive a large refund by using a "secret" deduction, special credit, or little-known tax loophole.

The IRS has specifically warned taxpayers about misleading tax advice circulating on social media.

Before claiming an unfamiliar tax credit or deduction, ask a qualified tax professional about it.

AI Voice & Impersonation Scams

Artificial intelligence can also be used to imitate someone's voice.

You may receive a phone call that sounds like a family member, business associate, employee, client, or another person you know.

If the caller asks for money, passwords, account information, gift cards, wire transfers, or other sensitive information, stop and independently verify the request.

Hearing a familiar voice is no longer enough to prove who is calling.

We Will Also Verify Unusual Requests

If you receive an unusual request that appears to come from our office involving:

• Bank account information

• Direct deposit information

• Payments

• Passwords

• Login credentials

• Sensitive tax information

• Social Security numbers

• Tax documents

• Changes to previously provided information

Please contact our office directly before taking action.

If you receive an email that appears to be from us but seems unusual, do not click the link or open the attachment until you have verified it with us.