When we think of summer, we think of fun, laughter, and travel. But for scammers, it’s the perfect time to take advantage and try to steal your money. From impersonation scams to fake refunds, they’ll go far and beyond to trick you.
In this article, we’ll highlight common scams to watch out for and share practical tips to help you stay safe and protect yourself.
Summer Is a Heating-Up Season for Scams!
Summer is prime time for scammers. “This is really the time that we’re most vulnerable to fraud,” Cara Carlin with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) said. Experts say summer is the busiest time for scams because scammers try to take advantage of people’s busy lives, being more distracted, vacation plans, and the rush of the season [1].
Common Summer Scams to Watch Out For
Impersonation Scams: Fraudsters may pose as representatives from banks, government agencies, or well-known companies. They might call, DM, email, or text you asking for personal or financial information.
Phishing and Smishing Scams: These involve deceptive messages, emails, and DMs on social media (phishing) or phone texts (smishing) that appear to come from trusted sources. They often urge you to click on a link or provide sensitive information, such as passwords or credit card numbers.
Fake Travel Deals: Scam travel websites and ads offer incredible vacation deals that don’t actually exist. After you pay, you may find out nothing was booked, and you have been scammed!
Vacation Rental Scams: Scammers list properties for rent that are either fake or not theirs to rent out. Victims are often asked to pay upfront via methods that are hard to trace and recover, like wire transfer or gift cards.
Refund Scams: Scammers claim you’re owed a refund for a service or product. They may request bank information or convince you to install software that gives them remote access to your device.
Family Emergency Scams: Scammers may claim that a loved one is in trouble, such as being arrested or involved in an accident, and urgently needs money. Always verify the situation by contacting the person directly before sending any funds.
Fake Fundraisers: Fraudsters create bogus charity pages or crowdfunding campaigns, especially after tragic events. They may use phishing tactics to trick you into donating. Always research the legitimacy of a fundraiser before contributing.
How to Protect Yourself from Scams This Summer
- Never share your PINs, passwords, or banking information with anyone.
- Be careful with unsolicited calls, DMs, emails, or texts, especially if they ask for personal details.
- If you get a phone call from someone claiming to be a company or your bank and you’re unsure, hang up. Look up the official number on the company’s website and call them directly before sharing any information.
- Be cautious of investment offers that promise big returns quickly. Always research the company online to check if it’s real. Be extra careful if they ask you to pay with cryptocurrency.
- When booking travel online, research the website first. Search for reviews, complaints, or scam reports and ask friends for recommendations.
- Utility companies, banks, or government agencies will never ask you to pay with gift cards. Never share gift card numbers with anyone you don’t know.
- Scammers often try to rush you by saying your account is in trouble or that services will be cut off. Stop and talk to a trusted friend or family member before making any decisions.
- Never send money to someone you have not met in person. Be careful with online contacts asking for money or investment help.
- Do not click on unexpected links in DMs, emails, or texts about travel deals. Instead, type the company’s website address yourself to check if the deal is real.
- Watch out for travel sites that ask for payment through wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency. These payment methods are often signs of a scam.
- Use strong, unique passwords for your online accounts and enable two-factor authentication for extra protection.
What to Do If You Get Scammed
If you think you’ve been tricked, don’t panic and follow these steps right away:
- Contact your bank immediately to protect your accounts and stop any unauthorized transactions.
- Report the scam to the proper authorities so they can help and warn others.
- Change your passwords on all important accounts to keep your information safe.
- Tell friends, family, or colleagues about what happened to help protect them, too.
Stay Scam-Free This Summer: Protect Your Social Media Presence with Eydle
Summer scams are on the rise, with fraudsters targeting social media to steal from your business and customers.
Stay ahead with Eydle and our AI-powered tool that protects your social profiles by detecting phishing accounts, direct messages, and comments before they can harm your business.
Keep your summer scam-free. Visit www.eydle.com or contact [email protected] to protect your brand today.
