SMARTLAB by Logix

Tax season has a way of sneaking up on all of us.  One minute you’re collecting and organizing W-2s and 1099s, tracking down receipts, and totaling last year’s expenses.  The next, you’re racing against the clock to file on time.  While filing taxes can be stressful enough, there’s another growing concern taxpayers should prepare themselves for: tax scams.

Each year, fraudsters ramp up their efforts during tax season. They target taxpayers with increasingly sophisticated scams. These scams are designed to steal personal information, financial data, and tax refunds.  Although tax scams occur year-round, criminals exploit IRS updates to make their schemes more convincing. They utilize new technology and filing deadlines during this time.

In 2026, tax scams are more advanced than ever.  From IRS impersonation attempts and AI-driven voice cloning to fraudulent or “ghost” tax preparers, these scams can be increasingly difficult to detect.

Below, we'll look at five major tax scams to watch for this season. We'll also provide tips to help protect your identity, safeguard your information, and keep your refund.

Finding the best auto loan rates in Pasadena is a top priority for car buyers looking to save money. With many residents commuting by car and nearly forty percent of Pasadena households owning two or more vehicles, securing an affordable auto loan can make a big difference in monthly budgets. Shopping around for low rates and flexible terms is important because even a small difference in Annual Percentage Rate (APR) can add up to thousands of dollars saved over the life of a loan. Logix Federal Credit Union understands these needs. We are committed to helping the Pasadena community and offer competitive auto financing solutions for the surrounding areas.

As a local, member-owned financial institution, Logix not only offers some of the best auto loan rates in the area but also provides personalized service and community support.

In this article, we’ll explore why Logix stands out for auto loans, breakdown our products and rates, and guide you through choosing the right loan; all to help you drive away with confidence.

Rebuilding your credit score can feel a bit like trying to salvage a meal that didn’t go exactly as planned. Maybe life got hectic, expenses piled up, a few credit card payments were missed or late, or unexpected surprises threw things off.

The good news? Like our article about building good credit from scratch, a credit score isn’t a one-time dish you have to perfect. It’s something you can rework and improve upon.

With the right ingredients, consistent habits, and a little patience, following these 8 steps can help you serve up a stronger credit profile.

If you have been hearing that credit scores are changing, you are not imagining it.  2026 is shaping up to be a transition year for how lenders evaluate borrowers, especially for mortgages.  Fortunately, most of the habits that help your credit stay healthy are not changing.