The old, one-time QuickBooks purchase is slowly fading out as QuickBooks moved to software as a service (SAAS) with the launch of the 2022 version. An annual subscription fee will renew your license each year and upgrade your QuickBooks with the latest features. Online QuickBooks or Enterprise users are no longer the only users subject to yearly renewals, but Pro and Premier users too.
Therefore, ALL QuickBooks users need to be vigilant not to fall prey to fraudsters who impersonate Intuit’s payment invoice for the annual subscription fee. These astute scammers have your account details in your email like Intuit does, including your license and customer number, company name, and product. It looks identical – privy to the human eye.
Even worse, the scammer may also attach an ACH form for one-time payment with a technical reason for not being able to charge your credit card. And goof – they got you! The innocent accounts payable clerk falls for the scam, provides the bank account details, and out goes the subscription fee that keeps the rogue on his heels. Then the scammers move on to lure another potential victim.
Phishing emails are a huge problem today. Being aware of potential security risks is the best protection. Therefore, if you get an annual subscription renewal email from Intuit or QuickBooks, please be wary of the following:
Spot fake emails. These emails are “real” looking, with your account information, and duplicate the Intuit template you are familiar with, however, note the following:
-
-
- Intuit will never ask for your personal information in an email.
- Intuit emails will always come from an email address that ends with @intuit.com. make sure you check the sender’s email address.
- All links sent to you in an email will be for an intuit.com address.
- If the email creates a sense of urgency, slow down and evaluate the email before attempting any action.
-
Check your annual renewal date. You may or may not be due for a renewal fee at the time of the email.
-
-
- You can check your renewal date in your online Intuit account.
- The best advice is to always make payments directly online as opposed to email links.
-
Be aware of other QuickBook scams, such as:
-
-
- Support calls from QuickBooks asking to renew your license.
- Emails with “critical action required” headers saying anything about important security updates or suspension of your account.
- Fraudulent emails about pricing discounts.
-
