Scammer Calendar: A Year-Round Guide to Scams and Their Peak Times
Scammers are opportunistic, and their tactics often align with the seasonal behaviors, holidays, and events throughout the year. Here is a month-by-month guide to help you recognize when specific types of scams are most prevalent and how to stay vigilant throughout the year.
| Month | Scam Type | Description | Peak Time | How to Protect Yourself |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January - February | Tax Scams | Scammers impersonate IRS agents or tax preparers to steal personal information or offer fake refunds. | January through April | The IRS does not contact taxpayers by email or text for personal information. Verify any communication directly through the IRS official website. |
| January - February | New Year’s Resolution Scams | Fake offers related to weight loss, fitness, or financial planning products or programs that promise quick results. | January through February | Be cautious of offers that promise quick, unrealistic results. Research programs or products thoroughly. |
| January - February | Winter Storm Scams | Scammers offer urgent home repair or snow removal services, demanding upfront payment. | January through March | Hire contractors with verified references, licenses, and insurance. Avoid paying in full upfront. |
| January - February | Utility Scams | Scammers impersonate utility companies claiming overdue bills and threaten disconnection unless paid immediately. | January through March | Utility companies do not demand immediate payment or ask for gift cards. Contact your utility provider directly using the phone number on your bill. |
| March - April | Easter Scams | Fraudsters create fake websites or ads for discounted Easter items that are never delivered or are substandard. | March through April | Purchase holiday items from reputable stores or websites and verify new online stores. |
| March - April | Home Improvement Scams | Scammers pose as contractors for discounted home improvement services, performing shoddy work or disappearing after payment. | March through June | Verify contractor credentials, ask for references, and avoid paying the full amount upfront. |
| March - April | Vacation Rental Scams | Scammers post fake listings for vacation rentals, collecting deposits or full payments for non-existent properties. | March through August | Book through reputable travel platforms and verify details with the owner or property management. |
| May - June | Wedding Scams | Scammers target couples by posing as wedding vendors, taking deposits and disappearing, or selling counterfeit wedding products. | May through September | Hire vendors based on referrals or research, check reviews, and avoid paying large deposits without a signed contract. |
| May - June | Moving Scams | Fraudulent moving companies offer low estimates and demand extra fees or refuse delivery until more money is paid. | May through September | Research moving companies thoroughly, check for licensing, and get multiple written estimates. Avoid paying large deposits upfront. |
| May - June | Graduation and Job Scams | Scammers post fake job listings or offer bogus job opportunities, requiring payment for training or supplies. | May through August | Research companies thoroughly, verify job offers directly with the employer, and never pay for job opportunities. |
| May - June | Student Loan Forgiveness Scams | Scammers offer to help reduce or eliminate student loans in exchange for upfront fees or personal information. | May through October | Legitimate loan forgiveness programs never charge upfront fees. Contact your loan servicer directly for information on repayment options. |
| July - August | Travel Scams | Scammers set up fake travel agencies or websites offering discounted deals on flights, hotels, or vacation packages. | July through September | Book travel only through reputable agencies or established platforms. Verify bookings directly with the service provider. |
| July - August | Event Ticket Scams | Scammers sell counterfeit tickets to concerts or sports events that are fake or never delivered. | May through September | Purchase tickets only from authorized vendors or the event organizer. |
| July - August | Flood and Hurricane Scams | Scammers pose as contractors for flood repairs or impersonate charities soliciting donations for hurricane relief. | July through November | Verify contractor credentials and donate through recognized charities. Confirm legitimacy through official government websites. |
| September - October | Back-to-School Scams | Scammers target parents and students with fake offers for school supplies, scholarships, or student loans. | August through September | Be wary of unsolicited offers and verify any scholarship or loan offer through official channels. |
| September - October | Tech Support Scams | Scammers pose as tech support from well-known companies, claiming device issues and requesting remote access or payment. | September through December | Legitimate companies do not initiate tech support calls. Do not grant remote access or provide payment details to unsolicited callers. |
| September - October | Fake Job Training and Scholarship Scams | Scammers offer fake job training programs or scholarships, requiring upfront payment or sensitive information. | September through December | Verify legitimacy with professional associations or school channels and avoid offers requiring payment to access a scholarship or job guarantee. |
| November - December | Online Shopping Scams | Scammers create fake online stores, sell counterfeit products, or send phishing emails disguised as order confirmations or delivery notifications. | November through December | Shop on trusted websites, use secure payment methods, and be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true. |
| November - December | Charity Scams | Scammers pose as legitimate charities or create fake ones to solicit donations via phone, email, or social media. | November through December | Research charities using sites like Charity Navigator or GuideStar, and donate directly through official websites. |
| November - December | Gift Card Scams | Scammers sell counterfeit or drained gift cards or request payment in gift cards for fake bills or fines. | November through December | Buy gift cards from reputable retailers and never use them as payment for unexpected requests. |
| November - December | Secret Shopper Scams | Scammers offer secret shopper positions, sending fraudulent checks and requesting victims to wire money. | November through January | Legitimate secret shopper jobs do not require upfront payments or wiring money. Verify offers directly with known companies. |
| November - December | Family Emergency Scams | Scammers impersonate a distressed family member, requesting urgent money for bail, medical help, or travel. | November through January | Verify the story by contacting the family member directly using a known phone number. |
| December | New Year’s Eve Event Scams | Scammers sell fake tickets to New Year’s Eve parties, concerts, or events. Victims may pay for counterfeit tickets or find that the event doesn’t exist. | December | Purchase tickets only from reputable vendors or the event organizer. |
| Year-Round | Fake Charity Fundraising Scams | Scammers create fake fundraising campaigns during emergencies or high-profile events to solicit donations. | Year-round, particularly after major disasters or public health emergencies | Verify campaigns on platforms like Charity Navigator or GoFundMe. Donate directly through official websites. |
| Year-Round | Medical Equipment and PPE Scams | During health crises, scammers sell fake medical equipment or PPE. Victims pay for items that are counterfeit or never delivered. | Year-round, spikes during pandemics or health emergencies | Purchase from trusted suppliers or official websites. Verify sellers before making purchases. |
| Year-Round | Fake Bank Alerts and Account Takeover Scams | Scammers send phishing emails or texts appearing to be from your bank, prompting you to click links or provide personal information. | Year-round, increased activity during online shopping seasons (Black Friday, Cyber Monday) | Never click on links or provide personal information via email or text. Contact your bank directly. |
| Year-Round | Cryptocurrency Scams | Fraudsters offer fake cryptocurrency investment opportunities or impersonate wallets/exchanges to steal funds. | Year-round, spikes during market volatility or cryptocurrency hype | Research before investing. Use reputable wallets and exchanges. Avoid unsolicited investment offers. |
| Year-Round | Timeshare Resale Scams | Scammers claim to have buyers for your timeshare and ask for upfront fees for various services. | Year-round, peaks during vacation planning seasons (spring and summer) | Be skeptical of unsolicited offers to buy your timeshare. Use a licensed real estate professional. |
| Year-Round | Military and Veteran Scams | Scammers target military members, veterans, and families by posing as charities or offering fake benefits. | Year-round, increases around Veterans Day and military holidays | Verify any offers or donation requests through official military or veteran organizations. |
| Year-Round | Work-From-Home Scams | Scammers offer fake work-from-home jobs requiring payment for training or equipment. | Year-round, especially during economic downturns or when remote work is trending | Verify job offers by researching the company and checking reviews. Avoid jobs that require upfront payment. |
| Year-Round | Fake Subscription Renewal Scams | Scammers send fake renewal notices for services like Amazon or Netflix, urging immediate action. | Year-round, peaks during the holiday season | Verify renewal notices directly with the service provider. Avoid clicking on links in unsolicited emails. |
| Year-Round | Tech Product Pre-Order Scams | Scammers create fake websites offering pre-orders for popular tech products at low prices. | Year-round, especially around product launches or major sales events (Black Friday) | Pre-order only from official retailers or reputable websites. Be wary of deals that seem too good to be true. |
| Year-Round | Mortgage Relief Scams | Scammers offer fake mortgage relief services, such as loan modifications or foreclosure assistance, in exchange for upfront fees or sensitive information. | Year-round, with spikes during economic downturns or housing market instability | Contact your mortgage lender directly to discuss relief options. Avoid companies that guarantee results or require upfront payments. |
Conclusion: Stay Aware of Seasonal Patterns and Scammer Tactics
By understanding when different scams are most prevalent, you can remain vigilant and better protect yourself from fraud throughout the year. Remember always to verify unsolicited requests, trust your instincts, and stay informed about the latest scam tactics.