As summer approaches, you might be preparing for vacations, camps, home improvement projects, weddings, graduations, or more time with family. While these activities make the season special, they can also create more opportunities for scammers to catch people off guard.
The increase in busyness, along with heightened travel plans and purchases, can make this time of year especially appealing to fraudsters who seek to access personal and financial information.
Recent statistics reveal that scams are not only becoming more frequent but also more costly. According to the FBI’s 2025 Internet Crime Report, which combined information from more than one million complaints of suspected internet crime, reported losses in 2025 exceeded $20 billion, a 26% increase in losses from 2024.
Now, more than ever, it’s essential to stay informed and vigilant to help protect yourself and your loved ones. Before the summer picks up, here are a few timely scams to keep on your radar:
AI Impersonation and Family Emergency Scams
One of the most unsettling scams begins with a call or message that seems to come from someone you know. It might sound like a child, grandchild, friend, or relative claiming they are in trouble and/or urgently need money.
These scams are harder to recognize because advances in artificial intelligence now enable scammers to generate fake voices, messages, and images that are highly convincing. The story may involve a car accident, a lost phone, a forgotten wallet, a medical emergency, a travel issue, or legal trouble.
Before responding, pause. Call the person directly using a phone number you already have saved. If you can’t reach them, contact another family member before sending money or sharing any personal information.
Travel and Vacation Rental Scams
As summer travel increases, so do fake travel deals. Scammers may create vacation rental listings using stolen photos, offer unusually low prices, or pressure you to send a deposit before the property “gets booked.”
Be cautious if a rental owner asks you to move the conversation off the booking platform, pay by wire transfer, gift card, or payment app, or make a quick decision before you have time to research.
Before booking, search for the property outside of the link you were given. Look for reviews, confirm the rental company or manager across multiple sites, check the property’s address, and use a credit card when possible. If the deal feels rushed or too good to be true, it’s worth investigating further.
Home Repair and Storm-Related Scams
Spring and summer are busy seasons for roofing, landscaping, HVAC repairs, renovations, and storm cleanup. Unfortunately, they can also be prime seasons for home repair scams.
Be cautious if someone shows up unexpectedly, claims to have noticed damage, offers a “today only” price, or requests a large payment upfront. Scammers often create a sense of urgency to prevent homeowners from verifying credentials or comparing estimates.
Before agreeing to any work, you can request proof of insurance, check reviews, confirm licensing when necessary, and get multiple quotes. A reputable contractor should understand your need to take the time to make an informed decision.
Unexpected Text Scams
Recently, some of the most common scams involve simple text messages. These messages may indicate that a package cannot be delivered, a toll payment is overdue, a traffic violation requires your attention, your bank account has been locked, or that a small fee is needed to avoid a penalty.
The messages may appear official, and the links may look similar to those of real companies or government websites. However, clicking on these links can expose your payment details, login credentials, or other personal information.
Do not use any links or phone numbers included in unexpected messages. Instead, visit the company’s official website or app directly, or call a trusted number found on your statement, card, or account portal.
A Few Other Habits That Can Help
Putting in place a few simple habits can also help lower your risk:
- Use strong, unique passwords for your accounts, especially email, banking, investment, and credit card platforms.
- Turn on multi-factor authentication when available.
- Review bank and credit card activity regularly, especially before and after travel.
- Avoid sending money through methods that are difficult to recover, such as gift cards, wire transfers, or unfamiliar payment apps.
- Consider freezing your credit if you are not planning to apply for new credit soon.
- Talk with family members about how you would verify a real emergency.
Protecting More Than Your Information
Scammers are becoming more polished, but many still rely on the same tactic: getting you to move quickly. Before you click, pay, or respond, ask yourself:
- Did I expect this message?
- Is someone asking for money or personal information?
- Am I being pressured to act immediately?
- Can I verify this another way?
As summer plans and scams pick up, give yourself permission to pause, verify, and ask a second question. While no step can fully eliminate the risk of fraud or guarantee protection, a few careful habits may help reduce your chances of becoming a victim and allow you to respond more quickly if something seems suspicious.
Protecting your personal information is an important part of protecting your financial life. If you are a client and believe your financial accounts, investment accounts, banking information, or identity may have been compromised, please reach out to your advising team. We can help you think through appropriate next steps and determine whether any action may be needed related to your financial plan or accounts.
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