The 7 Types of Summer Cyber Scams and How to Protect Yourself

Summer is a time of vacations, outdoor activities and a general sense of relaxation. However, this laid-back atmosphere also makes it an opportune season for cyber criminals to launch their nefarious schemes. The increasing prevalence of cyber scams is a stark reminder that our vigilance should never wave, even in the most relaxing of times.

Let’s take a look at some of the most popular summer cyber scams and how you can protect yourself against them. By understanding these common schemes and proactive security measures, you can protect yourself – and your hard-earned money – as you enjoy a scam-free summer.

Read: The Best Practices Against Cyber Attacks

1. Vacation Rental Scams

What it is: Vacation rental scams are when fraudsters post fake vacation rental listings on social media or popular websites, like VRBO and AirBnB. They lure victims with attractive photos and low rental prices, and after securing a deposit or full payment, they disappear, leaving vacationers without accommodations. Or worse – the vacationer shows up and finds out the property is unavailable or doesn’t even exist.

Defense: Always use a reputable rental platform that offers verified listings and secure payment options; a vacation rental should never ask for cryptocurrency, gift cards or wire transfers as payment. Be cautious of any rentals that seem too good to be true. Check the address, look at the reviews and reverse image-search the property photos to ensure they are not stolen from other listings.

2. Travel Scams

What it is: Cyber criminals send phishing emails or create websites offering too-good-to-be-true deals on flights, hotels and vacation packages. These deals often require upfront payment, or they say your booking was canceled and you must pay a rebooking fee, after which the scammer vanishes.

Defense: Be mindful of unsolicited travel deals and verify the authenticity of the travel agency, especially if it’s from someone you have never used before. Use well-known travel booking sites and read reviews before making any transactions.

3. Wi-Fi Hotspot Scams

What it is: Scammers set up fake Wi-Fi hotspots in popular tourist areas, like airports, cafes and hotels. The fake Wi-Fi hotspots usually have legitimate-sounding names, like “Free Airport Wi-Fi”. When travelers connect to these networks, their sensitive data is intercepted, potentially leading to identity theft or unauthorized access to their accounts.

Defense: Avoid using public Wi-Fi for sensitive transactions, like accessing your bank account. Use a virtual private network (VPN) to encrypt your data and ensure you are connecting to a legitimate Wi-Fi network.

4. Fake Charity Scams

What it is: Scammers exploit people’s goodwill during the summer, especially after natural disasters like hurricanes. They create fake charity websites or send emails asking for donations.

Defense: Before donating, research the charity on websites like Charity Navigator or GuideStar. Never click on links in unsolicited emails; you can hover over the link to see if the URL leads somewhere authentic, or better yet, go directly to the charity’s official website. Be skeptical of emails from unknown senders, especially those requesting personal or financial information.

5. Ticket Scams

What it is: Concerts, festivals and sporting events are popular during the summer months, and scammers will capitalize on them by offering fake tickets at “special” or “discounted” prices on fake websites or social media.

Defense: If a ticket offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Buy tickets directly from the venue, a trusted ticket website or a ticket reseller. Also, be wary of ticket printouts, as scammers will print multiple copies of the same ticket.

6. Summer Job Scams

What it is: Summertime is a great time for young or seasonal workers to look for a summer job. However, scammers act on this by posting suspicious employment opportunities on social media. They will ask that you pay for your own supplies and training materials or that you need to provide sensitive information like your Social Security Number to apply.

Defense: Avoid job applications that ask for personally identifiable information (PII) or payment to train you. Before accepting any job offer, research the employer and read previous worker reviews on websites like Glassdoor. Also, beware of seemingly high-paying jobs that require little to no work experience.

7. Door-to-Door Scams

What it is: Summertime is not only for traveling and fun; many families use it to fix up their homes or do renovations. Scammers know this and will appear at your door, offering yard work, repair services or more. They might ask for payment upfront to cover supplies before doing a poor job or not doing the work at all.

Defense: Don’t accept work from anyone unless you were the one to hire them, and ensure you have a strict contract detailing all the clauses of the agreement.

Tips for Staying Safe During the Summer

• Use strong passwords: Ensure each of your online accounts has a strong, complex password. Consider using a password manager to keep track of them.
• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA): Add an extra layer of security by enabling two-factor authentication on your accounts. This way, even if your password is compromised, the attacker will need a second form of verification to log in.
• Keep software updated: Regularly update your operating system, browser or other software to protect against the latest security vulnerabilities.
• Monitor financial statements: Keep an eye on your bank and credit card statements for any unauthorized transactions. You can also set alerts to help detect if anything suspicious occurs.
• Educate yourself and others: Stay informed about the latest scams and share this blog with family and friends. Awareness is a crucial defense against cyber criminals.
• Be mindful on social media: If you decide to post on social media, ensure you have privacy settings and don’t share PII. Also, be mindful of strange friend requests.
• Avoid “too good to be true” offers: Whether it’s an email, a text message or a flyer, if you see something that appears too good to be true, it often is and should be avoided. Go to the seller’s website and see if the deal is available there, especially if it is a “limited-time deal”.
• Look for incorrect domains: Look for domains with misspellings or additional letters. For example, an “m” could be replaced with an “rn”. Also, confirm that the website starts with "https" and has the padlock next to its URL.
• Use secure payment methods: When paying for a hotel or plane ticket, only use secure payment methods like a credit card. Don’t pay with wire transfers, gift cards, cash or cryptocurrency.
• Do your research: Before booking or buying anything, do your research to ensure you are using a legitimate company. Check out customer reviews, ratings and complaints. You can always search the company’s name along with “scam” and see what the results are.

Stay Safe This Summer with Thriveon

Keeping your company safe from scams can be tricky, especially since cyber attacks are constantly evolving. That’s why working with a managed service provider like Thriveon is the best tactic.

Our experienced staff knows how important it is to protect your sensitive data from cyber criminals. We offer robust cybersecurity services that defend your company from cyber attacks.

Schedule a meeting today for more information on how to stay safe.