Summer Scams
Nora McGinley
Scammers don't take a break during the summer months; in fact, they may be ramping up their attacks to exploit your extra time online, vacation plans, or desire to improve yourself and your home. Make sure you're aware of these common attacks so you can keep your money and information safe from fraudsters.
Classifieds Scams
If you're selling something online, watch out for "customers" who offer to pay more than asking price and ask that you send goods or money to them or a third party. Your money will disappear in exchange for a fraudulent check or a wire that never goes through.
Romance Scams
Be suspicious of any new love you find online, and never send money or personal information to anyone you don't know IRL, no matter how much they've charmed you or asked for help. Before you know it, you could be short a relationship and a whole lot of money.
Employment Scams
If you are contacted by an "employer" who is very interested in hiring you, make sure you're not falling prey to a scam. Watch out if they have no reason to know who you are (you haven't applied,) they create a sense of urgency, or it seems "too good to be true"-- it probably is. Don't trust logos or email addresses at face value, and look for other red flags like the claim that "no experience is needed!" Employment scammers might be looking for sensitive information like your drivers license number, birth date, credit information, or social security number. They might also give you a fake check to buy materials or complete a job. Before you give away any information, check sites like LinkedIn, Glassdoor, and the company's real website to verify that they are offering a real job.
Lottery Scam
If you didn't enter a contest, you didn't win one! Never give away personal information or pay a fee to get your big check. Be cautious about other "great" offers like discounted tickets to Disneyland or a concert, and remember that clicking an enticing offer can give your computer a virus. As always, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is!
Vacation Rental Scams
Before you commit to that weekend by the beach, make sure you'll be getting what you pay for. Fraudsters can rent you property that doesn't exist, that is about to be foreclosed, or that simply doesn't deliver what's promised. Protect yourself by using reputable listing sites like FlipKey, HomeAway, or VRBO, and if you use AirB&B, make sure your host has a Verified ID badge. Check out the area on Google to make sure it's legal for your host to rent to you and GoogleMaps to make sure the property looks like you'd expect. Finally, always pay with credit card or PayPal.
Home Security Scammers
During the summer, door-to-door home security scammers head out in force. They may target homes that already have security signs in the yard; the older the service, the better. These scammers might pretend to be a technician sent by your security company to repair a problem they've identified in your system or upgrade your equipment, a representative to collect a down payment for a replacement system, or an employee from another security company who claims that your old provider has gone bankrupt and been bought by them. Don't sign anything or let the representative in your house. Call your security provider to see if they've sent a representative.
Home Improvement Scammers
Summer is a great time to work on projects around the house, but be cautious when hiring contractors who show up and offer their services, especially if the price seems low because they're "working in the area" or "have leftover materials." Instead of hiring someone who contacts you unsolicited, ask for recommendations from friends and acquaintances. Always get a written contract and check out your contractor online before you hire them. Similarly, be careful when hiring movers and check with the Better Business Bureau first so you don't end up paying ransom for your belongings!
Portions of this post were adapted from Bay Federal Credit Union's June Fraud Alert and Consumer Reports. Photo from Flikr user "fuangg's photos."