Back to Stories

How to Protect Your Money During Vacation Season

Stay vigilant to avoid these five potential scams this summer.

With many people planning vacations, attending concerts, and booking outdoor activities, fraudsters have developed sophisticated schemes to take advantage of consumers. Here’s what to watch for and how to protect yourself this summer.

Concert and Event Ticket Scams

The summer concert and festival season creates the perfect environment for ticket scams. Since many popular events sell out quickly, eager fans become prime targets for fraudsters.

What to Watch Out For:

  • Prices that seem too good to be true.
  • Sellers who only accept payment through wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or gift cards.
  • Ticket images that are blurry or easy to edit.
  • Pressure to make quick decisions.

How to Protect Yourself:

  • Purchase directly from the official venue’s box offices or authorized ticket sellers.
  • If buying resale tickets, use reputable platforms with buyer protections.
  • Pay with credit cards that offer fraud protection.
  • Verify tickets through the official event app before paying.
  • Check seller reviews and history if using marketplace platforms.

Vacation Rental Scams

Nothing ruins a vacation faster than arriving at your reserved rental only to discover it doesn’t exist or bears no resemblance to the advertised property. In 2024, a group of rental property owners were indicted for allegedly stealing more than $8.5 million from thousands of people through misleading listings and fraudulent cancellations of online vacation rentals.

What to Watch Out For:

  • Property owners who refuse to speak by phone.
  • Requests for full payment via wire transfer or cash apps.
  • Listings with vague details or stock photos.
  • No reviews or suspicious reviews.
  • Drastically lower prices compared to similar properties.

How to Protect Yourself:

  • Book through established platforms with protection policies.
  • Search the property address online to verify it exists and matches the description.
  • Use Google Street View to check the property’s exterior.
  • Request video calls to see the property in real-time.
  • Never pay outside the booking platform’s payment system.
  • Consider travel insurance that covers fraud.

Travel Package Scams

More than a third (34%) of Americans say they are less trusting than they once were when planning and booking vacations, according to McAfee. Some fraudsters may pose as travel agencies or tour operators to offer enticing, all-inclusive deals. These fraudulent deals may not exist at all, or they hide substantial additional costs.

What to Look Out For:

  • Unsolicited travel offers via email or social media.
  • Vague itineraries with few specific details.
  • Pressure to “act now” for limited-time discounts.
  • No clear cancellation policies.

How to Protect Yourself:

  • Research the company thoroughly before booking.
  • Verify travel agency credentials with associations like the American Society of Travel Advisors.
  • Get all the details in writing before making any payments.
  • Use credit cards for additional protection.
  • Avoid clicking links in unsolicited travel emails.

Social Media Summer Giveaway Scams

One in four people who reported losing money to fraud since 2021 said it started on social media, according to the Federal Trade Commission. Fake contests promoting free vacations, event tickets, or summer merchandise have become increasingly common on social media, particularly during the warmer months. Remember, if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

What to Look Out For:

  • Contests requiring payment, banking information, or excessive personal details.
  • Poorly written posts or websites with grammatical errors.
  • Accounts with limited history or few followers.

How to Protect Yourself:

  • Verify contests through official company websites.
  • Be skeptical of extraordinary prizes with minimal entry requirements.
  • Never provide financial information to enter contests.
  • Ensure the post is from the company’s verified social media account.

Seasonal Pop-up Business Scams

Summertime brings a surge in temporary businesses such as food stands, farmers’ market vendors, art and music festival booths, and beach service providers. Most of these businesses are legitimate, but some scammers exploit this seasonal trend and look for ways to steal your money or information.

What to Look Out For:

  • Mobile payment systems with suspicious modifications.
  • Vendors who are unable to provide business licenses or permits.
  • Services demanding full payment upfront for future delivery.
  • Pop-up shops with no physical address or contact information.
  • Unusually low prices for high-demand items or services.

How to Protect Yourself:

  • Research seasonal businesses on local review sites before making a purchase.
  • Pay with credit cards instead of cash when possible.
  • Ask for receipts and business cards with contact information.
  • Verify credentials with local business associations or the Better Business Bureau.
  • Be wary of vendors who appear overnight with no established history.

Staying aware and alert is the first step to protecting yourself and your finances, allowing you to enjoy your summer activities without falling victim to seasonal scams. Remember, legitimate businesses won’t pressure you for immediate payment or unusual payment methods, and if an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Disclaimer: This article is for general information and education only. It should not be considered financial or tax advice.

Related Content