Your Industry Is Being Targeted: Ransomware Hits Engineering Firms, Real Estate Wire Fraud Surges & CPAs Face Tax-Season Phishing Blitz
This week’s threats are not generic — they are aimed squarely at the industries that keep San Antonio’s economy running. Engineers, real estate professionals, manufacturers, CPAs, law firms, and small businesses all have specific threats to address right now.
Engineering and architecture firms are being hit with ransomware via phishing emails disguised as project RFPs. Real estate wire fraud is at an all-time high — one wrong email costs buyers their entire down payment. Manufacturers are the #1 ransomware target for the third year running. CPA firms face a post-tax-season phishing blitz targeting client financial data. Law firms are being extorted with stolen privileged documents. And every small business needs to know about the new FTC data security enforcement wave hitting companies with fewer than 100 employees.
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Engineering & Architecture Firms Targeted with Ransomware via Fake Project RFP Emails
Threat actors are sending highly convincing phishing emails to engineering and architecture firms disguised as project Request for Proposal (RFP) documents. Opening the attached “RFP” deploys ransomware that encrypts CAD files, project databases, and client deliverables. Multiple Texas firms have been hit in April 2026.
Real Estate Wire Fraud at All-Time High — Buyers Losing Entire Down Payments to Fake Wiring Instructions
The FBI’s IC3 reported that real estate wire fraud losses hit a record $446 million in Q1 2026. Attackers compromise real estate agent or title company email accounts and intercept closing communications, substituting fraudulent wiring instructions. One wrong wire transfer can cost a buyer their entire down payment with no recourse.
Manufacturing Is the #1 Ransomware Target for the Third Consecutive Year — OT and ICS Systems Now in Scope
Verizon’s 2026 Data Breach Investigations Report confirmed manufacturing as the most targeted industry for ransomware for the third year running. Attackers are now moving beyond IT systems to target Operational Technology (OT) and Industrial Control Systems (ICS), threatening production line shutdowns.
CPA and Accounting Firms Face Post-Tax-Season Phishing Blitz — Client Financial Data and IRS Credentials Targeted
Cybercriminals are launching a targeted phishing campaign against CPA and accounting firms in the weeks following tax season, when firms are processing extensions, amended returns, and client follow-ups. Attackers are impersonating the IRS, state tax agencies, and tax software vendors to steal client financial data and practitioner credentials.
Law Firms Targeted with Data Extortion — Attackers Stealing Privileged Client Documents and Threatening Publication
A wave of data extortion attacks is targeting law firms of all sizes, with attackers stealing privileged client communications, litigation strategy documents, and confidential settlement agreements, then threatening to publish them unless a ransom is paid. Several Texas law firms have been targeted in Q1 2026.
FTC Targets Small Businesses in New Data Security Enforcement Wave — Companies Under 100 Employees Now in Scope
The Federal Trade Commission announced a new enforcement initiative specifically targeting small businesses with fewer than 100 employees that collect consumer data without adequate security practices. The FTC has opened 23 investigations against small businesses in Q1 2026 alone. Here is what every small business needs to know.
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