Scam Alert: Summer Scams to Watch Out For

As the summer quickly approaches many of us are thinking about where we want to go on holiday. Unfortunately, it's also a time when scammers become particularly active. Most holiday scams take place online so it's important to keep alert.

Scams can happen to anyone, regardless of age or experience. By knowing what to look out for, you can help protect yourself, your finances and your personal information. 

Common summer scams to watch out for 

Fake holiday deals 

Scammers often advertise bargain holidays, caravan breaks or last-minute travel offers that seem too good to be true. They may ask for payment by bank transfer and disappear once the money has been sent. 

Stay safe by: 

• Booking holidays through reputable companies. 

• Checking reviews before making a payment. 

• Being cautious of heavily discounted offers on social media. 

• Never feeling pressured to pay immediately. 

Bogus doorstep traders 

During the summer, you may receive unexpected visits from people offering to clean your driveway, repair your roof, trim trees or carry out gardening work. While many genuine tradespeople do excellent work, some rogue traders charge inflated prices, carry out poor-quality work or demand payment upfront. 

Stay safe by: 

• Never agreeing to work on the spot. 

• Asking for written quotes. 

• Using trusted local traders recommended by friends or family. 

• Remembering it's perfectly acceptable to say, "No thank you." 

Discounted flight tickets for sale on social media – book directly with the airline instead 

You're most likely to encounter this type of scam on social media, where fraudsters will post fake ads for cheap flights or pretend to sell tickets they can no longer use themselves. They will offer a low price and ask for a fee to change the name on the ticket but once you send the money, they'll disappear, along with your cash. 

Stay safe by: 

• Don't get drawn in by eye-catching ads and offers on social media. 

• Book directly with the airline. 

Fake cancellation refunds – guard your personal details 

Having a flight or hotel booking cancelled is stressful enough. Scammers

 can often jump on these moments as an opportunity to defraud you. 

Stay safe by: 

• Don't let yourself be rushed or pressured. Scammers may try to create a false sense of urgency in their attempts to trick you. If in doubt, don't proceed. 

• Make sure you're dealing with the real firm before sharing ANY info. If unsure, stop and go directly to the firm's official website (don't click links in emails or texts) 

Families can help too 

Talking openly about scams can help everyone stay safer. If you have an older relative, check in regularly and encourage them to discuss any unusual phone calls, emails or visitors they've received. A quick conversation can often prevent someone from becoming a victim of fraud. 

If you think you've been scammed 

Don't panic. Contact your bank immediately if you've made a payment or shared financial information. You can also report scams to Action Fraud and seek advice from trusted organisations. 

Remember, anyone can be targeted by a scam. Staying informed, taking your time and asking for a second opinion are some of the best ways to stay safe this summer.