Beware of Common Summer Scams

Summer can be a really fun time of year. It’s when we enjoy family gatherings, road trips, and making memories. 

Unfortunately, the hectic pace of summer and the changes in normal routines can also make it a great opportunity for scammers to take advantage of the distractions and get their hands on your money or personal information. 

Here are some common scams to watch for this summer, as well as some resources you can use to reduce the potential of being scammed. 

1. Fake Travel Deals

Scammers know that summer is a busy time for travelers, and that many people are searching for last-minute deals on flights, hotels, or vacation rentals. 

They may try to lure you into a deal that sounds too good to be true, including: 

• Vacation rentals that require payment outside of legitimate booking platforms

• Airfare or resort packages at bargain prices that require an unusual deposit or are booked through a site that’s not secure

• Fake advertising that bombards you on social media

• Requests to pay with gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency

Before booking, research the company, read reviews from multiple sources, and verify that you're using an official website. Use a reputable credit card to make your payment, rather than making payments through a P2P payment service or other means. 

2. Toll Road and Parking Text Scams

Toll road scams have become a popular way for scammers to get money out of people during the travel season. They may send you a text message claiming that you owe toll fees from a trip, and demanding that you make a payment quickly or face the consequences. 

These messages often rely on urgency and a fear of high costs or punishment. They may include: 

• A link to "pay immediately"

• Threats of additional fees or legal action

• Official-looking logos and language

The goal is not always to take your money through a payment. The scammers are typically setting up a fake website to collect your “payment” and then using it to steal your payment information or personal data.

Instead of clicking a link in an unexpected message, visit the toll authority's official website directly or contact them using verified contact information.

3. Package Delivery and Shipping Scams

Summer vacation may mean getting more packages delivered as you prepare for your trip. Scammers may take advantage of the hectic time before vacation to claim your package couldn’t be delivered, that your shipping address or other information needs to be updated, or that you need to pay a fee to release your package. 

These messages may be sent through email and may look very similar to something you’d receive from a global retailer. However, don’t be fooled. If a large company is going to communicate with you, they will do so in their app or on their website, rather than through unsolicited messages. 

4. Fake Fraud Alerts

Receiving a text or phone call saying there's suspicious activity on your account can be alarming. Scammers count on that panic.

Oftentimes, scammers will pretend to be from your financial institution and pretend they need you to validate a transaction. They may have already gained access to some of your information and need to convince you to share the missing pieces they need to access your accounts. 

For example, they may ask you to: 

• Verify your online banking password

• Read back a one-time security code

• Provide your debit or credit card number

• Share your PIN

• Confirm your Social Security number

Remember: Andrews Federal will never ask you to:

• Provide your online banking password

• Share your PIN

• Read back a one-time verification code sent by text or email

• Send sensitive personal information through text message or email

• Move your money to a "safe account"

If someone asks for any of these, stop the conversation and contact Andrews Federal directly so we can verify the situation and help you mitigate any potential damage. .

5. Charity and Disaster Relief Scams

Severe weather situations bring out people’s generosity, as they see others lose their homes, property, and even lives in hurricanes, wildfires, floods, and other natural disasters.

Sadly, scammers recognize and prey on this kindness, setting up fake charities or soliciting donations to take advantage of those who want to help others. 

If you want to make a donation to support relief efforts, do so through an established organization. You can use Charity Navigator as a starting point to assess organizations and their trustworthiness. 

How Andrews Federal Helps Protect You

No financial institution can stop every scam. However, at Andrews Federal, it’s our goal to provide protections and education, so you can avoid scammers and stay safer even when life is hectic. 

Account Alerts

Set up account and transaction alerts through Digital Banking. You can opt to receive notifications about activity on your accounts, as well as log-in attempts, attempted password changes, and other issues that might signal a fraudster seeking unauthorized access. 

Getting these alerts in real time can give you the opportunity to act quickly and to stop scammers before additional fraud occurs.

Digital Banking

Whether you're at home or traveling, Andrews Federal's digital banking services allow you to:

• Monitor account activity

• Review recent transactions

• Transfer funds

• Report issues promptly if something looks suspicious 

Download the Mobile Banking app to give yourself 24/7 account access on the go. Checking your accounts regularly is one of the easiest ways to detect fraud and stop scammers from wreaking havoc on your funds.

Card Controls

Losing a card on a trip is a terrible feeling. Thankfully, with Card Management, you can quickly lock down your card and ensure no one else can access it. You can easily access your card controls within the Mobile Banking app, so you can have your card locked down within seconds while you determine whether it’s lost or simply misplaced. 

Tips for a Scam-Free Summer

Before you head out on your next adventure, remember these simple best practices:

• Be skeptical of urgent requests involving money.

• Never click links in unexpected text messages or emails.

• Verify businesses and travel companies before making payments.

• Monitor your accounts regularly.

• Enable account alerts.

• Keep your contact information up to date so Andrews Federal can reach you if necessary.

• When in doubt, contact Andrews Federal directly using a trusted phone number.

At Andrews Federal Credit Union, we're committed to helping you protect your finances, so you can spend less time worrying about fraud attempts and more time making fun summer memories.