What's in season where you are

15 July – 15 September · Raised risk, not a fixed date · Reviewed 10 August 2026

Term start brings tuition, aid and supply spending together, and student-loan "forgiveness" offers ride whatever the latest policy news is.

What you'll see: "You qualify for student loan forgiveness — apply now for a fee"; "Act before the deadline to discharge your loans"; Fake scholarship and financial-aid portals; Fake student-discount and device offers

Federal loan help is always free through studentaid.gov — anyone charging a fee to apply is a scam. Never share your FSA ID.

Sources: Federal Student Aid (opens in a new tab) · FTC (opens in a new tab)

1 November – 15 January · Raised risk, not a fixed date · Reviewed 10 August 2026

ACA open enrollment fills late fall with genuine plan messages, so fake "navigators" and bogus low-cost plans blend into the noise.

What you'll see: "Limited-time health plan — enroll now for $0 premium"; Robocalls offering to sign you up over the phone; "Verify your Medicare/Medicaid details to keep coverage"; Fake marketplace and insurer login pages

Enroll only through HealthCare.gov or your state marketplace, typed in yourself. Real plans don't cold-call you for payment or your Social Security number.

Sources: FTC (opens in a new tab) · CISA (opens in a new tab)

15 November – 5 December · Dates shift year to year · Reviewed 10 August 2026

Shoppers expect deals from brands they don't normally hear from, which is exactly the cover a fake store or discount text needs.

What you'll see: Fake online stores advertised on social media; "Your exclusive discount code expires in 1 hour"; Brand-impersonation texts with shortened links; Too-good-to-be-true prices on sold-out items

Type the retailer's address in yourself rather than tapping the ad or the text. Pay by credit card for the protection it gives.

Sources: FTC (opens in a new tab) · CISA (opens in a new tab)

20 November – 15 January · Raised risk, not a fixed date · Reviewed 10 August 2026

You're genuinely waiting on packages, so a "failed delivery" or "pay a small fee" text is a guess that pays off far more often than usual.

What you'll see: "USPS: your package can't be delivered — update your address"; Fake UPS and FedEx tracking pages; "A small redelivery fee is required"; "Customs charge unpaid — package on hold"

The Postal Service doesn't text you for a fee or address unless you signed up for tracking. Check with the carrier's official site using the number from the sender.

Sources: USPIS (opens in a new tab) · FTC (opens in a new tab)

15 January – 15 April · Same dates every year · Reviewed 10 August 2026

Filing runs to the 15 April deadline, so an IRS "refund" or "back taxes" message lands while taxes are already on your mind.

What you'll see: "Your tax refund is pending — verify your details"; "IRS final notice: back taxes owed, arrest warrant issued"; Fake IRS and state tax login pages; "Verify your identity to release your refund"

The IRS makes first contact by mail, never by text or email, and never threatens arrest. Don't click — check your account at IRS.gov by typing it in yourself.

Sources: IRS (opens in a new tab) · FTC (opens in a new tab)

20 January – 28 February · Raised risk, not a fixed date · Reviewed 10 August 2026

Dating-app sign-ups spike around Valentine's Day, and romance scams are patient — the contact made now is the one asking for money months later.

What you'll see: Fast-moving affection from someone who won't video call; A crypto or investment "opportunity" introduced by a new partner; An emergency needing money before you've ever met

Anyone who won't video call, and anyone who moves the chat toward investing, is running a script. Never send money — and reverse-image-search their photos.

Sources: FTC (opens in a new tab)