It's that time of year again. April 15th is looming, and you’ve just spent hours gathering the right files and forms, organizing your receipts, and double-checking every detail to make sure your tax return is accurate and complete. Now imagine what would happen if a computer crash wiped out all your hard work. Without all your digital data, you could be left high and dry - vulnerable to a tax audit, with no documents or proof to back up your return.
One of the most common causes of data loss is hard drive failure. Many hard drives fail in less than three years, and it’s been found that the newer drives have shorter lifespans than those manufactured before 2015. Computer crashes aren’t the only danger to your data - accidental deletions and even cyberattacks are a year-round threat as well. Tax season is also peak season for fraud.
This is just one more reason why tax time is the perfect time to create a backup strategy to secure all your digital information. Now more than ever, it’s vital to understand all the risks and protect your sensitive data.
Watch out for these common tax scams
With the massive amounts of sensitive information being transmitted during tax season, cyberthieves and scammers are working overtime to get their hands on your data. Here are some of this year’s most common tax scams.
- Phishing emails: If you get an email that looks like it’s from the IRS or your tax preparer asking you to verify your information or click a link to access your tax refund, be wary! It could be a phishing email scam. The IRS will NOT contact you about your tax return or ask for personal information via email. If you get a questionable email, look for these red flags.
- Generic greetings like “Dear Customer” – legitimate agencies will use your proper name
- Spelling or grammar mistakes – official communications rarely contain basic errors
- Urgent language like “Respond Immediately” – the IRS will never demand immediate payment or make threats via email
Suspicious links or attachments – don’t click on unverified links, they may contain dangerous malware or take you to a website designed to scam you
- Fake tax filing websites: Cybercriminals often set up phony websites that look like trusted tax services such as TurboTax or H&R Block. You might land on a page like this after clicking a sponsored ad or a link in a phishing email. Follow these tips to verify whether a site is legitimate.
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- Check the URL – make sure the web address begins with https and the name of the domain is spelled correctly.
- Navigate to the site directly – go through a search engine instead of through email links.
- Look for a padlock symbol - this shows the website uses encryption (SSL/TLS) to secure the connection between your browser and the server.
- Invest in software protection such as Webroot Total Protection and Webroot Premium, that offers identity, credit, and financial accounts monitoring.
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- Malware and ransomware attacks: If you click on a fake attachment disguised as tax documents or software updates, your computer could be infected with malware that steals your data or ransomware that encrypts your files and demands payment to restore them. Never open attachments from unknown senders and be sure to use cloud backup services like Carbonite so you can recover your files if you fall victim to an attack.
- Phone scams: These scammers impersonate IRS agents and claim you owe back taxes. They may threaten you with legal action or arrest if you don’t pay immediately. They may ask for payment via unusual methods like gift cards, wire transfers or cryptocurrency. These are big red flags! The IRS will never threaten to arrest you or demand any type of payment over the phone. If you get one of these calls, hang up and report it.
Stay safe during the 2025 tax season
Your digital life includes your tax files, photos, financial accounts and more, and all of it can be lost in an instant. Here are some important tips to safeguarding your sensitive information from threats of any type.
- Keep files backed up: Even when you take precautions, accidents and attacks can still happen. Protect your information by using backup solutions like Carbonite, which uses automatic encrypted cloud backups to keep all your personal and business data, including tax files, safely and continuously backed up. In the event of a virus or malware attack, Carbonite lets you restore pre-infected versions of your files. Remote file access allows you to safely get to your backed up files from anywhere, adding convenience and another layer of protection.
- Practice safe browsing and email habits: Use only trusted, secure websites. A secure URL should begin with “https” rather than “http.” Also, avoid clicking links or downloading files from unknown sources.
- Use strong passwords and two-factor authentication (2FA): Enable two-factor identification, especially for all accounts that contain personal or financial data like bank accounts and tax software. Adding a second layer of protection, like a code sent to your phone, can safeguard your information even if your password is compromised. Webroot solutions include passwords managers to making it easier to remember all your passwords.
- Keep software and devices updated: Outdated software is a hacker’s best friend. Install updates regularly to patch any security vulnerabilities.
- Use antivirus software: Add an antivirus solution to your data protection strategy. Webroot offers real-time threat protection that can block malware, ransomware and other attacks before they reach your files. It also provides continuous monitoring that prevents your personal information from being stolen or sold on the dark web.
Let’s face it, tax season is tricky enough without having to worry about computer crashes and outwitting cybercriminals. But by creating backup strategy for yourself and your business, you can keep all your irreplaceable data secure. This tax season, let Carbonite and Webroot help you stay safe and stress free, and may the refund be with you!
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