Beware of Summer Scams: Tips to Protect Yourself

As the warm weather rolls in and people start planning their vacations and outdoor activities, scammers see an opportunity to take advantage of unsuspecting individuals. Summer scams can take many forms, from disappearing vacation rentals to fake concert tickets. Understanding these schemes is crucial to protect yourself and your loved ones. Let’s look at a few common summer scams and tips on how to avoid falling victim.

Vacation Rental Scams

Summer is prime time for travel, and many people look for vacation rentals online. Scammers create fake listings on legitimate websites, offering properties at attractive prices. Once the victim pays the deposit, the vacation rental disappears, leaving the vacationer stranded.

How to avoid it:

• Use reputable rental websites and read reviews.
• Never wire money or pay with prepaid cards.
• Verify the listing by contacting the property manager directly.
• Be wary of deals that seem too good to be true.

Travel Scams

Travel scams are another common issue, with fraudulent travel agencies and websites offering deals on flights, accommodations, and vacation packages. Once the payment is made, the traveler either receives fake tickets or none at all.

How to avoid it:

• Research travel agencies and read reviews.
• Pay with credit cards, like those offered by Scott Credit Union, which offer better fraud protection.
• Verify the legitimacy of travel offers with the airline or hotel.

Fake Event Tickets

Summer is one of the best seasons for festivals, concerts, and sporting events. Unfortunately, scammers take advantage of the season and sell counterfeit tickets online, often at discounted prices. Victims only realize they’ve been duped when they’re turned away at the event.

How to avoid it:

• Buy tickets from official event websites or authorized sellers.
• Avoid purchasing tickets from resellers on social media or unverified platforms.
• Check the event’s official website for authorized ticketing partners.

Home Improvement Scams

Warm weather is ideal for home renovations. Scammers pose as contractors offering services like roofing, driveway repairs, or landscaping. They demand upfront payments but either do subpar work or vanish after receiving the money.

How to avoid it:

• Get multiple quotes from licensed contractors.
• Check references and read reviews.
• Avoid paying the full amount upfront; instead, agree on a payment schedule.

Phishing Scams

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 it:

• 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.

Job Scams

Students and others looking for summer jobs may encounter fake job listings as part of a job scam. Scammers offer high-paying jobs and ask for personal information or upfront fees for background checks or training materials.

How to avoid it:

• Research the company and read reviews on job boards and forums.
• Be wary of job offers that require upfront fees.
• Never provide personal information until you’ve verified the legitimacy of the job offer.

Protecting Yourself

Summer should be a time for relaxation and enjoyment, not a season for falling prey to scams. Protect yourself by staying educated and informed about the latest scams, being skeptical of anything that seems too good to be true, verifying sources, and reporting any scams that you encounter to the relevant authorities.

At Scott Credit Union, your financial safety is our priority. Check out our security webpage and YouTube security playlist to learn more tips and tricks on how to stay safe from fraud and scams this summer.