banner

Happy New Year! We hope you had a great holiday with family and friends as well as a good start to 2026. It might be a new year, but we are providing the same financial education newsletter to share the latest on upcoming webinars, available resources, financial education in the news, and much more! 

As a reminder, please share with us any highlights, updates, or events you would like to share with the more than 23,000 people receiving the WFEN updates. When you have something you'd like to share with the network via this monthly email update - please send it to [email protected] <[email protected]%20> with the subject line "Proposed WFEN content." 

If you’re not already following DFI’s social media accounts, please do! We’re working to grow our networks in addition to promoting your great work. 


* *X: *[link removed] [ [link removed] ]
* *Instagram:* [link removed] [ [link removed] ]
* *Facebook:* [link removed] [ [link removed] ]
* *YouTube: *[link removed] [ [link removed] ]
* *LinkedIn:* [link removed] [ [link removed] ]
* *Bluesky: *[link removed] [ [link removed] ]

As a reminder, DFI's outreach coordinator Nathan Spiecker provides financial education workshops statewide - in both English and Spanish! If you are looking for someone to help provide outreach in your community, contact Nathan at [email protected] or fill out a presentation request form. [ [link removed] ]

________________________________________________________________________

*WA DFI reminds investors to learn how to identify, prevent and report investment fraud *

new years pig

DFI and the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) are warning investors that bad actors are using a new generation of sophisticated schemes in this New Year. Drawing on data from NASAA’s 2025 Enforcement Report and annual survey of top investor threats, DFI and NASAA have identified top investors frauds and threats to watch out for in 2026.

According to NASAA’s 2025 Enforcement Report, state securities regulators conducted more than 8,800 active investigations in 2024, leading to more than $259 million in monetary fines and restitution. The data reveals that while scammers are using new technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) to dress up their schemes, the goal remains the same: separating victims from their hard-earned money.

Read [ [link removed] ] the full press release. 

________________________________________________________________________

*Identity Theft Awareness Week *

ID theft

Has someone used your personal information to open accounts, steal your tax refund, or file fake health insurance claims? That’s identity theft. It can happen to anyone, but you can take steps to protect yourself.

Join the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for Identity Theft Awareness Week 2026. The FTC and its partners will host a range of events on how to avoid identity theft, recover if it happens, and spot scams. The FTC will have information for everyone, including advice for servicemembers, older adults, and families with children.

Visit the ID Theft Awareness Week website [ [link removed] ]. 

________________________________________________________________________

Tax Filing Resources and Working Families Tax Credit - Web Meeting

family

The Washington State Department of Revenue will provide an update about the Working Families Tax Credit and a United Way representative will share local tax filing resources in your community on Jan. 13 from 10-11 a.m.

This event is for community leaders and service providers. 


* Overview of the Working Families Tax Credit, tax credit payment options, and an opportunity to ask questions about filing this year.
* Key dates for filing, tax preparation resources in your community, e-filing options, and if you missed a filing.
* Federal changes to discontinuing paper checks and options for clients.
* Find out what some financial educators are doing to use tax season to help clients improve their financial position, and experiences clients are sharing. 

Register [ [link removed] ]for this webinar!

________________________________________________________________________

*Office of State Treasurer Financial Wellness 101 Workshops*

worksource

In partnership with WorkSource of Thurston County [ [link removed] ], the Office of the State Treasurer provides financial Wellness one-on-one workshops in an effort to enhance financial education and empower individuals in Washington. These workshops educate participants on financial goal setting, budgeting, saving, credit management, and identity theft prevention and awareness. Attendees can participate either in person at WorkSource of Thurston County or online, making it accessible to people across the state. By equipping individuals with essential financial knowledge this partnership contributes to building a financially resilient community.

January webinars:

Financial Wellness 101 - Part C: Consumer Cautions:

Wednesday, Jan. 21 @ 9-11 a.m.



Online Registration [ [link removed] ]



February webinars:

Financial Wellness 101 - Part A: Budgeting:

Monday, Feb. 2 @ 9-11 a.m.

Online Registration [ [link removed] ]

Financial Wellness 101 - Part B:

Monday, Feb. 9 @ 9-11 a.m.

Online Registration [ [link removed] ]

Financial Wellness 101 - Part C:

Wednesday, Feb. 18 @ 9-11 a.m.

Online Registration [ [link removed] ]
________________________________________________________________________

Community Drop-In Classes by Financial Beginnings

drop in classes

Beginning Jan. 20, 2026, Financial Beginnings is offering a new series of free, live online Community Drop-In Classes — open to anyone looking for practical, real-world financial guidance. Sessions will cover everyday topics such as: • Budgeting and spending habits • Managing debt and understanding credit • Preparing for taxes and reviewing employer benefits • Saving for college, retirement, or major life milestones • Reviewing insurance coverage and planning for seasonal expenses Whether you're just starting your financial journey or looking to sharpen your existing knowledge, these sessions are designed to be approachable, informative, and easy to access. Visit the Financial Beginnings website [ [link removed] ].  ________________________________________________________________________

*Save $50 Get $50 with WA259*

wa529

To kick off the new year, WA529 GET is offering a $50 contribution match for new accounts.

The WA529 GET Prepaid Tuition Plan [ [link removed] ] has been helping families build higher education savings since 1998. To kick off the new year, GET is offering a $50 contribution match for new accounts. This promotion is open to the first 500 new accounts opened between *Jan. 5-30, 2026*, that meet the eligibility criteria.

Learn more about this promotion on the WA529 website [ [link removed] ].

________________________________________________________________________

*Join FEPPP and EconEdLink for Professional Development Webinars!*

FEPPP

Join the From Pop Culture to Policy: Personal Finance in the News webinar on Feb. 10 from 2-3 p.m.

Teachers will be able to:


* Examine current events for connections to personal finance and economic concepts such as consumer behavior, markets, and risk.
* Interpret news stories through a personal finance lens to guide meaningful classroom discussions.

Register now! [ [link removed] ]

________________________________________________________________________

*S**afety, Privacy, and Access: **Supporting Marginalized Communities in Tax Season*

FEN

Communities facing the greatest barriers, including immigrants, LGBTQIA+ individuals, domestic violence survivors and others who have been historically marginalized, often encounter unique risks when accessing financial, tax, and public services. Fear of data sharing with enforcement agencies, uncertainty about documentation changes, and discrimination during filing can all prevent people from getting the support they deserve. This workshop brings together experts from legal, government, and community-based sectors to help service providers understand risks and resources available.

Join the Financial Empowerment Network (FEN) on Jan. 15 from 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Register now [ [link removed] ]!

________________________________________________________________________

 DFI logo [ [link removed] ]  

STAY CONNECTED: Visit us on Facebook [ [link removed] ] Visit us on Twitter [ [link removed] ] Visit us on YouTube [ [link removed] ] Sign up for email updates [ [link removed] ]

SUBSCRIBER SERVICES:
Manage Preferences [ [link removed] ]  |  Unsubscribe All [ [link removed] ]  |  Subscription Help [ [link removed] ] | Contact DFI  [ [link removed] ]

________________________________________________________________________

This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Washington State Department of Financial Institutions · 150 Israel Rd SW  · Tumwater, WA 98501 GovDelivery logo [ [link removed] ]