Scam calendar
What's in season where you are
Scammers follow the calendar, because a message only works when it's plausible. Knowing what's in season makes the odd one out easier to spot. This is background knowledge only — we check every message the same way, whatever the date.
Reviewed 29 September 2026
The newest review date across the 7 seasons below. Each season lists its own sources and when it was last checked.
In season right now1
Disaster relief & FEMA impersonation
Active now · About 6 weeks left1 August – 30 November · Raised risk, not a fixed date · Reviewed 29 September 2026
After a hurricane, flood or wildfire, a text saying disaster assistance has been approved lands while people are genuinely waiting on relief money — and September is both peak season and the month the warnings go out.
What you'll see: "Your FEMA disaster assistance has been approved — click to claim"; "FEMA relief payment pending — confirm your bank details"; "Claim your FEMA benefit before the deadline"; Fake charity appeals for a disaster that's in the news; Upfront-payment offers for urgent clean-up or repairs
FEMA never starts contact by text and never asks for bank details to release a payment. Apply or check a claim at DisasterAssistance.gov, typed in yourself, or call FEMA directly — and donate through a charity's own site rather than a link you were sent.
Sources: FTC (opens in a new tab) · CISA (opens in a new tab)
Coming up6
Health insurance open enrollment
Starts in 11 days1 November – 15 January · Raised risk, not a fixed date · Reviewed 29 September 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)
Black Friday & Cyber Monday
Starts in about 4 weeks15 November – 5 December · Dates shift year to year · Reviewed 29 September 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)
Holiday shopping & delivery
Starts in about 4 weeks20 November – 15 January · Raised risk, not a fixed date · Reviewed 29 September 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)
Tax season
Starts in about 3 months15 January – 15 April · Same dates every year · Reviewed 29 September 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"; "Tax Resolution Oversight Department — final notice"
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. An official-sounding department you've never heard of is a made-up name, not a real office.
Sources: IRS (opens in a new tab) · FTC (opens in a new tab)
Valentine's & romance scams
Starts in about 3 months20 January – 28 February · Raised risk, not a fixed date · Reviewed 29 September 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)
Out-of-season doesn't mean safe. These campaigns run all year — they just work best when you're expecting them.
Learn how to spot a scam →