Cyber Threats and Identity Fraud Scams to Watch Out for This Summer

Don’t let scammers and cyber threats spoil your summer fun

America is finally moving again and, unfortunately, scammers are also moving with the times. Just as summer 2020 brought lots of COVID-related scams, this year, scammers are zeroing in on our plans for life after COVID, hoping to trick us out of money, private information, and more. After the challenges of 2020, we all deserve a trouble-free summer, so here are some scams to avoid and other tips to keep yourself safe while still enjoying the fun of the season.

Steer Clear of Travel Scams

According to Travelocity, 70% of Americans want to start traveling again in the next year, and flights and vacation rentals are filling up fast. Fraud experts are warning of an uptick in scammers impersonating travel agencies or online booking sites to cash in on the travel rush. When the unwitting traveler shows up, the airline or property owner has no record of their booking, or the property isn’t even there! So, don’t jump at an unbelievable fare or vacation spot without doing your homework.

Here are some ways to protect yourself from travel scams:

• If you receive robocalls, emails, texts, or pop-up ads offering deals too good to be true, block the senders and delete the messages.
• Before dealing with an unfamiliar rental company, travel agency, or travel site=, check customer reviews and search on their name to see if others are reporting scams.
• Beware of emails or sites that might be impersonating legit travel companies. Look for misspellings or inconsistencies that might indicate a spoof.
• Pay with a credit card so that you can dispute the charges if something goes wrong. If the travel agent or rental owner asks for payment with a gift card or wire transfer, those are sure signs of a scam.
• Get cancellation policies in writing and read them before booking.

Opt-Out of Employment Scams

As the economy gets moving again, scammers are running employment scams aimed at Americans hungry for opportunity. These scams often target personal information, and some involve schemes such as overpayment fraud (sending the “new hires” a fake check and then having them return money out of their own funds before the check bounces).

Here are warning signs of an employment scam:

• A robocall, email, text, or pop-up ad offers a job that’s too good to be true (high pay with no experience necessary or “make fabulous money working from home”).
• The job asks you to pay upfront for your equipment or a background check.
• The HR or hiring manager’s email doesn’t match the company they’re supposedly working for, their writing is full of mistakes, or they ask for personal information upfront.
• You’re offered the job too quickly.
• The interview is done via email or instant messaging.

To find real job opportunities, only respond to job postings from legitimate job sites. (But watch for spoofs!) Before you respond to a posting, type the name of the company and “scams” into a search engine and see if anything comes up. Get job offers in writing, don’t pay for equipment or fees or cash checks for the company, and never provide personal information such as your Social Security number until you start the job.

Don’t Get Taken by Moving Scams

Lots of Americans will move this summer, as young adults move out on their own post-COVID and people who can now work remotely relocate to their dream destinations. Unfortunately, moving itself can be a nightmare, as the industry is rife with scams. Before hiring a moving company, the Better Business Bureau advises that you check out their customer reviews and complaints, ask to see proof of their license and insurance and get everything in writing. Keep an inventory of your possessions, don’t agree to make a large down payment or full payment in advance, and if you hire a company and they try to charge additional fees before delivering your possessions, contact the BBB or local law enforcement for help.

Privacy Protection is Scam Protection

One of the best ways to avoid scams is to protect your privacy so that scammers can’t target you. Fraudsters often reach victims through pop-up ads, text, or email offers served up by digital ad networks that track your online activities and interests. According to Statista, almost 40% of these automatically targeted ads are fraud. You can stop the tracking and help avoid fraudulent offers by using an advanced tracking blocker such as the one included with IDX Privacy.

Using the VPN included with IDX Privacy also helps shield you from fraudsters by preventing tracking of your location, plus, it can protect the data you transmit when you’re out and about this summer and working or recreating over public Wi-Fi networks.

And there you have our safety briefing for your summer: a little caution, a little privacy protection, a lot of sunblock. The season is launched, and you are now free to move about the planet.