Why CPAs Need to Worry about Cyber Crime (Especially in Tax Season)

And what to do about it.

By Kenneth J. Mackunis
Aon Affinity

Why worry? The quick answer: Client files are worth large sums of money! A CPA’s confidential client data, such as names, addresses, dates of birth and Social Security numbers, provide a target-rich environment for thieves.

Tax refund fraud is the No. 1 cyber crime facing CPAs today, according to the AICPA. Criminals use stolen records to file phony tax returns and receive refunds. The IRS issued 1.1 million refunds to people using stolen Social Security numbers in 2012, which resulted in fraudulent tax refunds of $3.6 billion.

Posted on April 8, 2015

Rick Telberg

About the Author

Rick Telberg is a veteran analyst, advisor, commentator, editor, and publisher. He brings a unique background and perspective to research and advisory services for the professional services community.

Mr. Telberg may well be the accounting profession's most widely-known commentator through his long associations with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Accounting Today magazine, and today, CPA Trendlines.

As an expert in management, marketing, media, and e-commerce, Mr. Telberg has served as Senior Editorial Director of Pro2Net Corp., now www.smartpros.com, and as Director of Online Content at CPA2Biz, www.cpa.com.

Previously, Mr. Telberg served as the early Editor-in-Chief of Accounting Today, and as Vice President/Group Publisher at Thomson Financial (now SourceMedia), overseeing Practical Accountant, Accounting Technology, and what is now AccountingToday.com.

Mr. Telberg was presented with a special citation by the National Society of Accountants for service to the profession and has served on a variety of boards and steering committees, including BKR International and the IBM Small Business Advisory Council. He is a graduate of New York University.

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