Welcome to our first video of 2026!! We look forward to so much great, new content to share. But with so much content hitting your inbox, how do you know what is legitimate and what's a SCAM?!? That's why to kick off the new year, we decided to create an EXTRA Financial Flash centered around this very topic.

Edgar, our new Business Operations Manager, will take you through some very simple, yet effective ways that scammers are tricking people out of their personal information or worse, their hard-earned money!

Give it a listen and make sure you can spot the signs of a scam and act appropriately.

Good luck. Thanks for watching. Make sure to subscribe to our mailing list for more great content.

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Scams: How to Recognize them and what to do.

A new year is upon us — 2026. And while many of us are looking for ways to make this year even better than the last, scammers are doing the same, constantly coming up with new ways to try to steal personal information.

The good news is that awareness is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your family.

Hi, I'm Edgar Villegas, Business Operations Manager at Stiles Financial. We take extensive measures to keep our client's personal information safe and secure, in keeping with SEC standards. And while you may not have the same resources or regulatory checks, I want to walk you through a few simple ways to recognize potential scams so you can protect yourself too.

Today, I'll cover three of the most common types of scams: email phishing, vishing, and smishing. The names may sound funny, but the risks are very real.

First, let's talk about email phishing. Phishing is a cyber scam where attackers pretend to be a trusted person or organization to trick you into sharing sensitive information — like passwords, credit card numbers, or login codes.

Common warning signs include unexpected messages asking for personal information, misspelled words or unusual email addresses, and generic greetings like "Dear Customer." If something feels off, trust your instincts. Always check the sender's email address, and never click on links or download attachments from unfamiliar sources. If you suspect an email is a scam, mark it as junk so your email system can help block similar messages in the future.

Next is vishing, which uses phone calls or voicemails to pressure people into revealing confidential information or sending money. These calls often pretend to be bank fraud alerts, IT support, or even government agencies. A key red flag is urgency — scammers try to create panic so you act before thinking. If a call doesn't seem right, hang up and verify the information by contacting the organization directly using an official phone number.

Finally, there's smishing. Smishing is similar to phishing, but it happens through text messages. Scammers may ask you to click a link, verify an account, or claim there's a problem that needs immediate attention. The same rules apply here: don't click links, don't respond, and don't engage. Report the message as junk and block the number.

One last — and very important — tip: enable multi-factor authentication on your email, apps, and online accounts whenever possible. This extra step helps prevent unauthorized access, even if someone gets hold of your password.

We hope this information helps you stay safer in the year ahead. Remember, when in doubt, slow down and ask a trusted family member for a second opinion.

Thanks for watching, and we'll see you again soon for another Financial Flash.