Be Wary of Requests Made by Email.

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Email messages from hackers often look legitimate, appearing to be from clients requesting a change in bank accounts and routing numbers to send a tax refund to the new account, or requesting a wire transfer of funds to a new bank account. A hacker who has commandeered both the client's and the CPA's email accounts can manipulate messages going out and coming in--also known as a "man in the middle" attack. Services that convert voicemail messages into email messages also can be used in such attacks. Sophisticated social engineering schemes might employ high-grade counterfeit documents such as investment direction letters, checks and insurance policies. Sometimes phone lines are set up to route calls to scammers posing as employees, who vouch for the validity of counterfeit documents.

Be skeptical of email and other communications, especially if asked to do anything out...