Stay Alert This Tax Season: Protecting You from Fraud in 2026

As tax season approaches, it’s important to stay aware of the increased fraud risks that occur each year. Criminals know this is a time when many members are receiving refunds, communicating about taxes, and moving funds — and they take advantage of that activity.

One of the most common threats is IRS impersonation scams. Fraudsters may contact you claiming you owe money or have an issue with your refund, pressuring you to send funds immediately through wire transfers, ACH, cashier’s checks, or peer-to-peer payment apps.

Remember: the IRS does not initiate contact via text, email, or social media Phishing and “smishing” (text message scams) are also on the rise.

These messages attempt to capture your online banking credentials or personal information Fraudsters are increasingly using AI-enabled voice and message impersonation to sound more convincing.

Other tax-season risks include unauthorized changes to direct deposit information, identity theft used to
open new accounts or apply for loans, and rapid withdrawals following refund deposits. If someone pressures you to act quickly or requests unusual payment methods, pause and contact us directly.

To help protect yourself:

• Verify all tax-related communications independently.

• Avoid clicking links in unexpected emails or texts.

• Monitor your accounts regularly for unusual activity.

• Contact us immediately if you suspect fraud.

Your financial security is our priority. If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts and call us directly
using the number on our official website. Together, we can make this a safe and secure tax season.