Scammers are getting smarter and more sophisticated every year, and that trend shows no signs of stopping in 2026. Whether you’re using your phone, checking email, or receiving packages at home, fraud attempts seem to be lurking around every corner.

The good news is with a few simple habits, you can stay one step ahead. Below are five of the most common scams targeting consumers this year, along with actionable tips to help protect your personal information, your finances, and your peace of mind.

1. Romance Scams

Romance scams remain one of the most financially devastating types of fraud, especially for older adults who may be newly retired, widowed, or simply looking for companionship. These scammers are patient, emotionally manipulative, and often very convincing.

How To Stay Protected:

  • Be cautious of people who quickly express strong romantic feelings.
  • Never send money to someone you haven’t met face-to-face, especially for emergencies, medical bills, travel, or “locked” accounts.
  • Use reverse image searches on profile photos to check for duplicates.
  • Talk to a trusted friend or family member if something feels off.

2. Text Message Scams (Smishing)

Text-based phishing, also known as smishing, is on the rise in 2026. These messages often appear to come from your bank, delivery services, government agencies, or even local numbers, and they’re designed to make you panic and click.

Watch For These Red Flags:

  • Don’t click on links in unexpected messages, such as those that claim fraud, missed deliveries, or urgent issues.
  • Look for unusual phrasing or urgency, like language that pressures you to “act now.”
  • Verify links directly. Open your banking app or type the company’s website into your browser instead of clicking on a texted link.

Please know that Sun Canyon Bank will never ask for sensitive information through a text. Need assistance from us? Give us a call or stop by a branch today.

3. Delivery Scams

As online shopping continues to grow, so do fake package notifications. You may receive emails or texts asking you to “reschedule delivery” or pay a fee to release a package, but the links lead to phishing sites designed to steal your information.

How To Stay Safe:

  • Use official apps or websites for tracking. UPS, USPS, FedEx, and Amazon all provide legitimate tracking tools.
  • Be wary of unexpected notifications. If you didn’t order something, treat the messages as suspicious.
  • Check the sender’s email address or text carefully. Many scammers use lookalike website URLs with extra characters or swapped letters, while text messages can come from spoofed numbers.
  • Never provide payment information to “release” a package. Carriers do not charge fees for undeliverable items. 

4. Tech Support Scams

These scams often start with alarming pop-ups on your screen, or unexpected phone calls claiming your device is infected. Victims are then pressured to call a fake support number or give remote access to their computer.

How to Protect Yourself:

  • Ignore pop‑up alerts telling you to call a number immediately. Your bank, computer manufacturer, and antivirus providers do not use pop‑ups for urgent support requests.
  • Never allow remote access to your computer unless you initiate the support session. Scammers use remote access to steal passwords and banking information.
  • Keep your computer and phone software updated. Regular updates reduce vulnerabilities scammers exploit.
  • Use trusted support channels. Go directly to the company’s website for assistance; don’t rely on numbers from search engines. You can also ask a tech savvy friend or family number for assistance, or visit a local tech support business.

5. Impersonation Scams

These scams involve bad actors pretending to be government agencies, utility companies, financial institutions, or even family members in distress. The goal is to panic you into acting fast.

Common Red Flags:

  • Threats of jail time, utility shutoff, or legal action
  • Demands for payment through gift cards, wire transfers, or crypto
  • “Emergency” calls from someone claiming to be your grandchild

How To Verify Before Acting:

  • Hang up and call the organization or person back using an official number. Never rely on a call‑back number provided in the message.
  • Use multi‑factor authentication (MFA). Even if someone gets your password, MFA helps keep your accounts secure.
  • Add account alerts in your mobile banking app to detect suspicious activity quickly.
  • Set up a family “safe word.” This can prevent you from falling for urgent‑sounding calls claiming to be a loved one.

What To Do If You’ve Been Targeted

Even the most careful person can fall victim. If you believe you’ve been scammed:

  • Contact your bank immediately to freeze your debit card or investigate suspicious transactions.
  • Change passwords on all affected accounts.
  • Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
  • Save screenshots or documentation. These can be potentially helpful to investigators and may help prevent others from falling prey to the same scheme in the future.

Stay Alert. Stay Confident. Stay Protected.

Scammers may be evolving, but so are the tools and knowledge available to help you defend yourself. With a few smart habits, and support from a bank that puts your security first, you can protect what matters most.

If you receive a message that feels suspicious or have questions about how to safeguard your accounts, the Sun Canyon Bank team is here to help. Visit your local branch or contact us online for support and guidance.