Summer Scam Alert: How to Identify and Avoid Summer Scams

Summer: the season of vacations, outdoor adventures, and…scams? Unfortunately, as temperatures rise, so does the prevalence of fraud. Scammers exploit the excitement and relaxed mindset of summer to target unsuspecting individuals. In 2023 alone, scams cost people more than $10 billion, marking the highest total ever recorded.

Don't let your summer fun be ruined by falling victim to a scam. This comprehensive guide will equip you with the knowledge and tools to identify and avoid common summer scams, protect your personal data, and ensure a safe and enjoyable season.

Travel Scams: Paradise Lost

Travel scams are among the most common during the summer months. Scammers take advantage of vacationers eager to find deals on flights, accommodations, and activities. Vacation, travel, and timeshare plans were among the top 10 fraud categories reported to the FTC’s Consumer Sentinel Network in 2022, with $104 million in reported losses.

Here's how to stay safe:

• Fake Booking Websites and Rental Listings: Scammers create convincing fake travel agency websites or rental listings with stunning photos and deep discounts. Once you pay a deposit, they disappear.
• How to Avoid: Book only through well-known travel providers or rental platforms. Verify the website's URL and look for secure payment symbols (like a padlock icon in the address bar). Be cautious of listings with no reputable reviews, vague descriptions, or landlords who can't talk by phone. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.
• Airline Scams: Scammers use fake websites and phishing emails promoting discounted tickets that don't exist. They may also use paid ads in search engines that promote fake customer-service numbers for reputable airlines.
• How to Avoid: Book directly through the airline's official website or a reputable travel agency. Be wary of deals that seem too good to be true. Double-check flight details through the official airline site or app.
• Hotel Scams: Fraudsters may call your hotel room pretending to be from the front desk and ask for your credit card information to fix an issue with your booking.
• How to Avoid: Never give out payment info over the phone. Verify any requests with the front desk directly.
• You've Won a Free Vacation Notices: Unsolicited notifications claiming you've won a free vacation are usually scams designed to steal your personal information or money.
• How to Avoid: Ignore such notices unless you've entered a legitimate contest. Verify any claims with the contest organizers.
• Cash App Scams: Scammers may request payment through apps like Cash App, promising summer travel deals but disappearing after receiving the money.
• How to Avoid: Only use payment apps for transactions with people or companies you know and trust. Verify the legitimacy of the recipient before sending any money.
• Gift Card Scams for Car Rentals: Scammers may place advertisements on the internet for discounted car rentals and ask you to pay with gift cards.
• How to Avoid: Remember car rental companies will never ask travelers to pay using gift cards.
• Vacation Cancellation Refund Scams: You might receive a call or email stating your trip has been canceled, and you're eligible for a refund. The scammers often pose as representatives from an airline or travel agency and promise you a refund in exchange for personal information, and/or upfront payment for processing the refund.
• How to Avoid: Don't give out payment info over the phone. Be wary of unsolicited contact and requests for personally identifiable information. Contact your travel provider directly using known contact details.

Online Shopping Scams: Buyer Beware

With increased online shopping during the summer months, scammers use fake shipping alerts and social media fraud to trick people.

• Package Delivery & Shipping Text Scams: Fraudsters use fake shipping alerts to trick people into clicking harmful links. These scam texts or emails often claim that your package couldn't be delivered and include a link to reschedule. Clicking the link may expose sensitive information or download malware.
• How to Avoid: Be wary of unsolicited emails and messages. Verify the sender's email address and look for signs of phishing, such as grammatical errors or urgent language. Avoid clicking on links; instead, visit the company's official website directly.
• Online Impersonation & Social Media Fraud: Scammers often pose as influencers, financial advisors, or even banks, offering fake giveaways, asking for donations, or promoting investment opportunities.
• How to Avoid: Report the account and block it immediately if you see anyone claiming to post on behalf of a reputable business.
• Fake Product Sites & Pop-Up Summer Sales: Scammers create fraudulent ads on social media and promote limited-time sales on sunglasses, swimwear, or outdoor gear. Victims receive knock-off products or nothing at all.
• How to Avoid: Use secure payment methods like PayPal or virtual cards. Avoid shopping from random ads. Verify the legitimacy of the site and lookup reviews online.

Robocalls and Phishing: The Persistent Pests

Robocalls and phishing attempts often increase during the summer.

• Robocalls: If you answer the phone and hear a recorded message instead of a live person, it's a robocall. Robocalls trying to sell you something are almost always illegal.
• How to Avoid: Don't answer calls from unknown numbers. If you do answer, hang up immediately if it's a robocall. Report the call to the FTC. Consider using a call-blocking app or service.
• Phishing: Phishing scams often increase during the summer, with emails and messages purporting to be from travel agencies, vacation rental companies, or popular summer event organizers. These messages contain links to fake websites designed to steal personal information.
• How to Avoid: Be cautious of unsolicited emails and messages. Verify the sender's email address and look for signs of phishing, such as grammatical errors or urgent language. Avoid clicking on links; instead, visit the company's official website directly.

Other Common Summer Scams

• Summer Job Scams: Be on the lookout for suspicious employment opportunities. Avoid any job that asks you to use your own accounts to transfer money. This is likely a money laundering scheme.
• How to Avoid: Research the employer and read reviews before accepting any job offer. Be very careful about sharing your personal information while job hunting.
• Concert and Event Ticket Fraud: Scammers create fake websites or social media pages that mimic legitimate ticket sellers. They lure you in with discounted prices or sold-out tickets only available through them.
• How to Avoid: Always purchase tickets directly from the official event organizer or well-known platforms. Check for secure payment options and avoid sellers who ask for cash apps or wire transfers.
• Utility and Home Repair Scams: Scammers often pose as contractors or utility workers, offering deals on roof repairs, driveway paving, or tree trimming—asking for money upfront and never returning.
• How to Avoid: Check their license, verify reviews, and get everything in writing before hiring any contractor. Never agree to full payment before the work begins.
• Social Media Scams: Be mindful of what you post online, especially if you are traveling. Burglars scope out who is not home based on social media posts.
• How to Avoid: Delay posting vacation pics and location tags until you're back.

Protect Your Data: Essential Security Practices

• Use Strong, Unique Passwords: Set up strong, unique passwords for all your accounts and devices. Avoid simple or reused passwords. Consider using a password manager.
• Enable Multi-Factor Authentication: Enable multi-factor authentication on all your important accounts.
• Be Cautious on Public Wi-Fi: Avoid using public Wi-Fi networks for sensitive activities. Use a VPN to protect your data.
• Keep Software Updated: Regularly update your operating systems, apps, and antivirus software.
• Monitor Your Accounts Regularly: Regularly check your bank and online accounts for any unusual activity. Set up alerts to be notified of any suspicious transactions.
• Report Suspicious Activity: If you encounter a potential scam, report it to authorities. Prompt reporting can help prevent further victimization and assist in tracking down scammers.
• Limit Social Media Sharing: Avoid posting real-time updates about your travel plans to reduce the risk of being targeted for social engineering.
• Back-Up Essential Data: Maintain backups of travel documents and critical data. In case of device theft or loss of power, having access to this information will prevent disruptions in your plans.
• Turn on the “Find My” feature: The “Find My” feature is a powerful tool available on most smartphones that not only allows you to track your device's location but also to wipe or remotely disable your device in case it gets stolen or lost.
• Notify Your Bank: Inform your bank about your travel dates to prevent them from flagging your transactions as fraudulent.

Robocall Blocking

• Silence Unknown Callers (iPhone): This feature sends calls from numbers not in your contacts to voicemail.
• Call-Blocking Apps (Android): Numerous apps like Hiya and Truecaller offer free robocall-blocking services.
• Carrier Services: Major carriers like Verizon and T-Mobile offer call-filtering and scam-blocking services.

Stay Informed, Stay Safe

Summer should be a time for relaxation and enjoyment, not for worrying about scams. By staying informed, practicing safe online habits, and being vigilant, you can protect yourself and your loved ones from falling victim to these schemes. Don't let scammers ruin your summer – stay one step ahead and enjoy a scam-free season!

If you believe you have been the victim of a scam, report it immediately to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ftc.gov/complaint.