As the summer season is upon us, it’s important to watch out for scams. Local financial professional Kevin Klug from Secure Retirement Solutions joined us on Wisconsin Tonight to discuss some of the most common summer scams and how to avoid getting burned.
Q: WHY ARE THE SUMMER MONTHS POPULAR FOR SCAMMERS?
It boils down to the fact that we do more in the summer months. We take vacations; we look for jobs; and we go out to concerts.
Scammers know we’re busy in the summer, and they are hoping we drop our guard.
Of course, we’re all looking for a bargain, but we need to stay alert for scams. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Q: WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MOST COMMON SCAMS WE SEE IN THE SUMMER?
I have four common scams you should be on the lookout for.
1. Summer Travel Scams
15 million online hotel booking scams happen every year. Scammers are creating bogus sites that look like hotel sites and may even have a similar URL.
Be careful of deals on social media and sites like Craigslist. Always use a reputable company and website to book your trip. Do your research! Check out the company with the Better Business Bureau. You can also search reviews and complaints.
Also be careful using a mobile device. The small screen can make it harder to tell if a website is legit. Try using a desktop computer when booking your next hotel.
2. Job Scams
Scammers know this is the time of year many teens and college students are looking for summer jobs. But this doesn’t mean young people are the only ones at risk.
Online job scams can be found on Craigslist, job boards, Facebook, Twitter or even sent to your email.
Scammers are looking to to collect your Social Security number and bank information. Don’t give out this information prematurely. This could lead to your identity and money being stolen.
Watch out for these signs: unsolicited offers, vague job description, paying upfront, doorstep selling, working from home. You should also be wary if the employer either has limited contact information or refuses to meet with you.
3. Home Improvement Scams
Always use caution when hiring a home improvement contractor, especially after a major storm.
The Better Business Bureau has three tips to help you spot a home improvement scam.
First, watch out for red flags like a contractor requiring you to pay up front for the work and cash-only deals.
Second, ask for references. A bad contractor will be hesitant to share this information.
And third, know the laws. Ask for identification, licensing and insurance. Confirm they will get the proper permits for the work being done.
4. Concert Ticket Scams
Summer is a very popular time to buy concert tickets. Always buy tickets from the concert venue or event-approved websites.
When buying tickets online, don’t do it on a free wi-fi network, like at a coffee shop. That connection is open to the public and any information you enter could be seen by other people.
When entering sensitive information online, look for signs that the site is legitimate and protected, like a lock icon on the browser bar or the site has an h-t-t-p-s instead of just h-t-t-p. The “s” stands for secure.
Try to pay with a credit card so you’re able to dispute fraudulent charges.
Q: What should someone do if they realize they’ve been scammed?
If you’ve been scammed, report it! Start by filing a report with the state attorney general.
You should also file complaints with the Better Business Bureau. I have link on my website, srsplans.com.
If you feel like anything is suspicious on your credit card statement, call your credit card company and freeze the payment.
