Summertime is a prime time for scammers! According to the Federal Trade Commission, consumers reported losing more than $10 billion to fraud last year and summer is the peak season for fraudsters.
Travel tickets too good to be true? Experts warn don’t let a wave of crafty scammers get the best of you this summer.
First, be aware of phony vacation rentals. Scammers post fake rental listings; take your money and you show up with no place to stay. Be sure to use reputable sites, verify listings and never pay with wire transfers or prepaid cards.
If a hotel is more your style and you get a call from the front desk saying your payment was declined it could be someone trying to rip you off. Hang up and call the front desk directly.
Looking for a deal on the hottest concert tickets? Buy directly from the official venue or trusted retailers. If you do buy from a third party, you can see if they are legit by checking to see if they are a member of the National Association of Ticket Brokers.
The so-called free cruise is oh so tempting! Scammers ask for upfront payments and personal details. Research vacations thoroughly and never share sensitive info through unsolicited calls or emails.
And if you’re on the road, be careful! You might get a text about unpaid tolls. The FBI alerted that it had received over 2,000 complaints reporting smishing texts representing road toll collection services.
Just because you’re on vacation, don’t take a break from checking your bank and credit card accounts. It can be the first sign someone has stolen your identity.
If you are a victim of summer fraudsters, you can call the Identity Theft Resource Center and talk to an advisor. Their number is 888-400-5530.