A new year brings fresh goals, new routines—and unfortunately, a rise in fraud attempts. January is one of the busiest months for scammers, especially as people focus on budgeting, tax prep, and returning holiday purchases. Here are a few simple ways to stay protected as you ease into 2026.

Watch for “Financial Reset” Scams

Be cautious of unsolicited emails or calls offering debt relief, credit repair, or loan consolidation. If it sounds too good to be true—or asks for personal information upfront—it’s likely a scam.

Be Ready for Early Tax-Season Tricks

The IRS will never email, text, or message you to request personal or financial information. Ignore unexpected messages about refunds, filing issues, or account warnings.

Avoid Fake Return & Refund Alerts

Scammers often mimic shipping companies or retailers in January. Don’t click links claiming your return failed or asking you to “verify your account.”

New Devices? Secure Them

If you received a new phone, tablet, or computer over the holidays, take a moment to:

• Install updates
• Enable multi-factor authentication
• Download apps only from official app stores

Keep Your Accounts Protected

A strong password and multi-factor authentication can stop most account takeover attempts. And remember—never share verification codes with anyone, even if they claim to be from your financial institution.

Staying alert doesn’t have to be stressful. A few smart habits can help you keep your personal information safe all year long. If you ever have questions about a suspicious call, email, or message, your UHS Employees FCU team is always here to help.