As the summer months approach, many people are looking forward to a well-deserved vacation. However, scammers are also gearing up to take advantage of unsuspecting victims. According to data from Norton software, the Federal Trade Commission, and the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation, certain types of scams tend to spike during the summer.

Common Summer Scams

One of the most common summer scams is the impostor scam, where scammers pose as travel agents, hotel workers, or other hospitality industry professionals. These scams can result in significant financial losses, with Americans losing $3.5 billion to impostor scams in 2025 alone.

Another type of scam that is on the rise during the summer is the sports betting scam. With more U.S. states legalizing sports betting, scammers are taking note and launching their own gambling schemes. These scams can be particularly convincing, as they often involve fake websites that mimic those of reputable sports-betting agencies.

Toll balance scams are also common during the summer, as families hit the road for their vacation destinations. In these scams, fraudsters contact victims and claim that they have an outstanding toll balance, requesting immediate payment to avoid consequences such as account suspension or even jail time.

Natural disaster relief scams are another type of scam that tends to increase during the summer months. Scammers pose as workers from relief organizations or government employees offering public aid to storm victims, using any information they can glean from victims to their advantage.

Protecting Yourself from Summer Scams

To avoid falling victim to these scams, it’s essential to be aware of the warning signs and take steps to protect your finances. This includes being cautious when sharing personal information, verifying the authenticity of websites and phone numbers, and reporting suspicious activity to the relevant authorities.

By being vigilant and taking the necessary precautions, you can help protect yourself and your loved ones from these common summer scams.

Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.