Last year's numbers. This year's pitch.

Ad: “Max your HSA at $4,300 self / $8,550 family for 2026.” IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-19 (IRB 2025-21): for calendar year 2026, HSA annual limitation is $4,400 self-only and $8,750 family. HDHP min deductible $1,700/$3,400; OOP max $8,500/$17,000. Pub 969 tip confirms $4,400/$8,750 for 2026. Ads quoting 2025 caps ($4,300/$8,550) as the live 2026 limit are stale.

Ad: “Max your 401(k) at $23,500 ($31,000 with catch-up) for 2026.” IRS newsroom (401(k) limit increases to $24,500 for 2026): elective deferral limit $24,500 (up from $23,500). Age 50+ catch-up $8,000 (up from $7,500) → generally up to $32,500. Ages 60–63 higher catch-up remains $11,250. Ads quoting 2025 caps as live 2026 limits are stale. Also: retirement topics 401(k) limits.

Ad: “Claim your $2,000 Child Tax Credit / CTC still $2,000.” IRS Child Tax Credit page: worth up to $2,200 per qualifying child; Additional Child Tax Credit up to $1,700 per qualifying child; full credit if income not more than $200,000 ($400,000 joint). Ads pitching a flat $2,000 CTC as the live amount are stale.

Ad: “SNAP expanded — pay processing fee / verify EBT PIN by text / instant cash EBT signup.” USDA FNS SNAP Scam Alerts: do not provide EBT card number or PIN by phone or text; phony texts claiming card locked are phishing; social media “instant cash” EBT signup is fake; SNAP does not charge a fee for processing retailer applications; ads offering SNAP application assistance that ask for credit card info are scams; SNAP employees never ask for credit card information. Apply via state SNAP office / fns.usda.gov/snap/state-directory. Contact local SNAP office if unsure.

Ad: “Medicare is issuing new plastic chip cards — call this number to activate / verify your Medicare number.” Medicare.gov reporting fraud page: Medicare will never call you to sell you anything or visit you at your home; Medicare or someone representing Medicare will only call and ask for personal information in limited situations (returning your call after you've joined a plan, reported fraud, or left a message). Do not give Medicare Number / SSN to anyone except your doctor or people you know should have it. Unsolicited “new card / activate” calls asking for your number are the impersonation pattern — hang up and use 1-800-MEDICARE / Medicare.gov.

Ad: “Social Security / OIG — your number is compromised / suspended — pay now with gift cards, crypto, gold, or wire; here is our badge.” SSA OIG scam alert Apr 28, 2026: scammers misuse real SSA/OIG employee names, fabricated badge images, fake social profiles. They claim a problem with your SSN/benefits and demand payment by gift cards, precious metals, cryptocurrency, wire, or cash. No legitimate government employee will send photos of badges/credentials, demand immediate payment or personal information, ask for gift cards/gold/crypto/wire/cash, or threaten arrest. Ignore unexpected outreach; verify via publicly listed contacts; report to oig.ssa.gov/report, ReportFraud.ftc.gov, ic3.gov.