Scam calendar
Reviewed 10 August 2026
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.
In season right now
Back to school & student loans
15 July – 15 September · Raised risk, not a fixed date
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 · FTC
Coming up
Health insurance open enrollment1 November – 15 January · Raised risk, not a fixed dateStarts in about 2 months
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.
Black Friday & Cyber Monday15 November – 5 December · Dates shift year to yearStarts in about 3 months
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.
Rest of the year
3 more this yearHoliday shopping & delivery20 November – 15 January · Raised risk, not a fixed dateStarts in about 3 months
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.
Tax season15 January – 15 April · Same dates every yearStarts in about 5 months
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.
Valentine's & romance scams20 January – 28 February · Raised risk, not a fixed dateStarts in about 5 months
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
This is background knowledge only — we check every message the same way, whatever the date.
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 →