Summer is a time to rest, relax, and experience new things. If your vacation time coincides with this wondrous time of year, you could be on your way to enjoying everything this season has to offer.

Unfortunately, scammers also know the potential this time of year brings. You must always stay vigilant against fraudsters to protect your personal and financial information.

If traveling is on your to-do list this season, it’s a good idea to brush up on your fraud prevention techniques. Here’s what you can do to prevent common travel-related scams.

Keep Tabs on Your Internet Usage Carefully

Nowadays, being connected to the Internet feels like a fact of life. Since we take being online for granted, it can be easy to let our guard down.

Don’t let a sense of complacency get the better of you. Fraudsters use our familiarity with “always on” Internet connections to infiltrate places where they don’t belong.

When you’re on the road and visiting different places, always have healthy skepticism for places that offer free Wi-Fi. These wireless hotspots are often unsecured, providing hackers with an opportunity to access the devices that connect to them.

If you do need to connect to a different network while traveling, be aware of these security points:

• Never connect to a network that doesn’t require a password.
• Be wary of hotspots where login information is readily accessible.
• Never access your accounts on publicly available Wi-Fi.
  

One way to avoid using suspicious Wi-Fi hotspots is to use your cellular network’s Internet connection or an eSIM card service. Many eSIM services offer flexible data plans that enable secure Internet access for a nominal fee. You can also sign up for a VPN service, and enable it on your phone.

Be Skeptical of Deals on Travel

There’s no getting around the simple truth that the price of booking travel and resorts has increased. Understandably, you want to find the best possible deal to get the most bang for your buck.

At the same time, finding rock-bottom pricing for vacation packages is a mindset that fraudsters are all too familiar with.

Whether it’s on the Internet, a postcard, or a pop-up, be wary of offers that seem too good to be true. Chances are, if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

It’s best to walk away from these offers before anyone has a chance to get your payment information. If you do end up checking out these offers and someone requests payment with a gift card or a money transfer app, then it would be best to pass on the offer entirely.

Remember: transactions made with a gift card or transfer apps are complicated to dispute or undo. If you are booking through a travel agent, choose a reputable and well-established business.

Beware of Vacation Rentals

Vacation rentals, popularized by sites like Airbnb and VRBO, have empowered travelers to live like locals while paying reduced rates compared to traditional resorts and hotels. Unfortunately, scammers have capitalized on this trend in renting by posting bogus listings.

It isn’t uncommon to come across rental listings that seem too good to be true, especially since scammers can modify these listings with pictures and propositions that look the part.

A harsh reality is that scammers know how to leave a good impression to trick people into booking these seemingly real listings. And, once they have someone’s money, they disappear.

When booking through a homestay app, ensure that your communications remain on the app and that you are working with an established renter. Vet the reviews carefully and contact the renter to ensure they’re the real deal.

Always book through the app you’re using to view these properties. If you encounter any billing difficulties, you can contact the company directly to request a refund or equivalent compensation.

Summer can be fun, but it’s always a good idea to remain SAFE. Visit our Scam and Fraud Education page for more information on how to combat fraud, both during the summer and throughout the year.