5 summer scams to avoid

Temperatures are on the rise during the summer, and unfortunately, so are summer scams. Cheap tickets to a hot concert? Free beach vacation? Unbelievably awesome summer job? The old saying “If it seems too good to be true, it probably is” applies here. 

Fraudsters use all sorts of tactics to pull off their top financial scams. Don’t let them ruin your summer fun. By staying informed on the latest schemes, you’re less likely to get burned. Here are a few summer scams to avoid.

Travel and accommodation scams

If you receive a letter, email or text message saying you’ve won a free vacation in a sweepstakes you never entered, beware. It’s likely a vacation giveaway scam. Scammers ask you to provide personal details or pay a fee to secure your “free” vacation, and the only thing you get is duped. 

Vacation giveaway scams can also pop up on social media. If you follow your favorite businesses, scammers can use their legitimate giveaways to trick you into sharing financial information. They see that you liked and shared the business’ post and tagged some friends, and then contact you as a representative of the business, saying you won. They might send a link or ask for financial information for you to claim your prize. If that happens, don’t click on any links and contact the business directly. 

Everybody loves a good deal, but if you see airfares and accommodation rates that are unbelievably low (like $99 for airfare and hotel in the Bahamas), investigate before providing any payment details – especially if you feel rushed to make a reservation. Fraudsters can create fake websites or post fake listings on legitimate sites like Airbnb to lure people in and take their money. 

Summer job scams 

Looking to make some extra money this summer? When considering job offers, watch for these red flags of fraud: extremely high pay for very little work; a stipulation that you pay for training, supplies or an application fee; a requirement that you provide your complete identity information (like your Social Security Number) in order to apply; and any misspellings or links to download things in online job offers. 

If you find a job posting or are approached about a summer job and you see any of the telltale signs of a summer job scam, walk away.

Home improvement scams

If renovating your home is in your summer plans, make sure you hire a reputable contractor. Tricksters could approach you and use tactics like requesting you pay for everything up front (and/or only accepting cash), asking you to get any required building permits yourself or recommending you get a loan from a lender they know to pay for the work. 

To avoid home improvement summer scams, the Federal Trade Commission¹ advises you to only work with licensed and insured contractors, get multiple estimates, check with your local Home Builders Association for any complaints against a contractor and carefully read contracts. Most importantly, do not pay for the project in full and up front.  

Ticket and event scams

Sports games, concerts and other big-ticket events can be a hot spot for summer scams. Scalpers overcharging for legitimate tickets is bad enough, but worse, scammers could fleece you for tickets you’ll never receive through bogus sites that collect your personal information – which could lead to identity theft. 
The Better Business Bureau² provides tips for buying tickets. They include buying from the venue’s box office whenever possible, purchasing from trusted vendors only, using payment methods with built-in protection (such as credit cards) and researching the seller on websites like BBB.org. 

Charity scams

If giving to a good cause makes your summer brighter, that’s wonderful – but don’t let a charity scam turn your goodwill into a bad experience. Learning how to detect charity scams can help ensure your money is going to those in need.  

Fraudulent schemes are not the kind of shadiness anyone wants in the summer. But by staying informed and vigilant, you can set yourself up for a scam-free summer.