QuickBooks scams are more common than you think, and they’re getting more sophisticated! At MISSION Accounting, we’ve seen firsthand how fraudsters target QuickBooks users with fake renewal emails, bogus invoices, and fraudulent tech support calls.
QuickBooks is hands down the best accounting software for businesses of all sizes, which is why we recommend it all the time. But because it’s so widely used, scammers know they can make big money by tricking even a small percentage of users. If you’re not paying close attention, it’s easy to fall for a scam that looks completely legitimate.
We’ve helped our clients avoid costly fraud attempts, and in some cases, we were the only reason they didn’t fall for them. In this article, we’ll break down the most common QuickBooks scams and, more importantly, how to protect your business.
QuickBooks Fake Renewal Emails & Phishing Attempts
One of the most common QuickBooks scams involves fake renewal emails designed to trick businesses into paying for unnecessary or fraudulent software licenses.
Here’s a real example: One of our clients, T’sty, received an email claiming their QuickBooks Enterprise subscription was expiring. The email looked legitimate: it had QuickBooks branding, an official-sounding message, and even a 1-800 number to call for renewal. But there was one big problem: they had already renewed their subscription six months earlier.
Thankfully, they called us first before responding to the email or dialing the number listed. We immediately recognized it as a scam and confirmed that their subscription was fully active. If they had followed through, they would have spent thousands on an unnecessary “renewal” or worse, given their payment information directly to fraudsters.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Always verify your QuickBooks renewal date within your account. You can check this directly inside QuickBooks under Account & Settings > Billing & Subscription.
- Never call a number from an email. Instead, visit Intuit’s official website or contact MISSION Accounting first.
- Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) on your QuickBooks account to prevent unauthorized access if your credentials are stolen.
If you ever receive an email about QuickBooks billing or renewals and something seems off, call MISSION first. We’ll verify if it’s real.
QuickBooks Fake Invoice & Payment Request Scams
Scammers create fake QuickBooks invoices or send bogus payment requests, hoping someone in your company will pay them without question.
These scams are particularly effective in businesses where multiple team members handle payments or invoices. A busy employee sees what looks like a legitimate invoice and approves it, without realizing it’s fake. By the time you catch it, the money is gone.
How This Scam Works:
- The fraudster spoofs a vendor or service provider, sending an invoice that looks legitimate.
- The email may claim an overdue balance that must be paid immediately to avoid penalties.
- If the business processes payments quickly, they might pay it before realizing it was a scam.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Verify all invoices before payment. Make sure they match an actual service or product you received.
- Train your team to recognize fraudulent invoices and confirm unusual payment requests before approving them.
- Set up approval workflows in QuickBooks to ensure all invoices go through a second review before payment.
Related Reading: QuickBooks Payments vs. Stripe, Square, and PayPal
QuickBooks Tech Support Scams
Another major scam involves fraudsters pretending to be QuickBooks support. These scams can result in stolen passwords, unauthorized transactions, or even hackers gaining remote access to your entire system.
How This Scam Works:
- You get an email, phone call, or even a pop-up warning on your computer claiming your QuickBooks account has a problem.
- The scammer impersonates QuickBooks Support and insists on urgent action to “fix” the issue.
- They may ask for remote access to your computer or demand payment for a fake service.
- In some cases, they install malware or keyloggers that steal your financial data.
How to Protect Yourself:
- QuickBooks will NEVER call you unexpectedly. If you didn’t request support, assume it’s a scam.
- Only contact QuickBooks support through their official website (or better yet, call us at MISSION first).
- Never allow remote access to your computer unless you’ve verified the identity of the person requesting it.
If you ever get a suspicious call about your QuickBooks account, hang up and call us. We’ll help you figure out if it’s legitimate.
Related Reading: How a QuickBooks ProAdvisor Can Save You Time and Money
Unnecessary QuickBooks Upgrades: Don’t Fall for the Pressure
One of the most deceptive QuickBooks scams involves fraudsters convincing businesses they need an expensive upgrade when they actually don’t. These scams often target business owners who aren’t sure whether they’re on the right QuickBooks plan and use fear tactics to push them into paying for something unnecessary.
How This Scam Works:
- You receive an email or phone call claiming that your QuickBooks version is outdated or no longer supported.
- The scammer insists you need to upgrade immediately or risk losing access to critical features.
- In some cases, they claim you must switch to QuickBooks Enterprise, even if your business doesn’t need its advanced features.
- They provide a fake customer service number, where a fraudster pressures you into purchasing a costly “upgrade.”
How to Protect Yourself:
- Check your QuickBooks plan directly by logging into your Intuit account (never rely on an email).
- Be skeptical of urgent upgrade requests. QuickBooks doesn’t force businesses to upgrade unexpectedly.
- If you’re unsure about your QuickBooks plan, call us first. We’ll help you determine if an upgrade is truly necessary.
Related Reading: Which QuickBooks Version Is Right For Me?
The Trouble with Contacting QuickBooks Support—And Why MISSION Should Be Your First Call
Even when you spot a potential scam, figuring out what to do next isn’t always easy. You might think, I’ll just call QuickBooks directly and confirm, but that’s where the frustration begins.
The Reality of QuickBooks Support
- Which number do you call? A quick search can pull up 20+ different support numbers, and many of them are outdated or even belong to scammers impersonating QuickBooks.
- Getting a real person is a nightmare. If you manage to find an actual QuickBooks support number, expect to go through automated menus, long wait times, and endless transfers.
- No personalized help. Even when you do get through, QuickBooks reps don’t know your business like we do. They’ll give you a generic answer, not the tailored guidance you need.
At MISSION Accounting, we’ve helped countless businesses navigate QuickBooks-related issues, including fraud attempts. We know how to verify your subscription, check your renewal status, and confirm whether an email or invoice is legitimate. Instead of spending hours on hold, just call us first.
If you ever receive a suspicious QuickBooks email, invoice, or phone call—don’t take the risk. Contact MISSION Accounting, and we’ll handle it for you.
