For many of us, summer is all about fun, travel, and relaxation. However, not everyone unwinds during summer vacation. Scammers see it as prime time to strike. As people book trips, shop online, and share plans on social media, they create opportunities for fraudsters.
Here are the top scams to watch for in summer 2025, and how you and your loved ones can enjoy the season safely.
1. Fake Vacation Rentals & Booking Sites
How these scams work: You find a dreamy beach house or mountain escape at a shockingly good rate. You pay through a third-party app … and when you arrive, you find out the rental never existed.
Tips to stay safe:
- Book only through verified platforms.
- Reverse image search listing photos.
- Be skeptical of wire transfer-only deals.
Related: Summer 2025 Travel Scams: How to Avoid Fake Hotel Booking Websites and Protect Your Vacation
2. Phony Airline and Travel Rescheduling Emails
How these scams work: Fraudsters spoof airline notifications or travel platforms and claim your flight has changed. They prompt you to click a link or call a fake hotline, then steal your info or sell you fake tickets.
Tips to stay safe:
- Always double-check flight details through the official airline site or app.
- Never click on links from unknown emails or texts.
3. Vacation Cancellation Refund Scams
How it works: You get a call or email saying your trip has been canceled, and you’re eligible for a refund. The scammers on the other end of the line often pose as representatives from an airline or travel agency and promise you a refund, for personal information, and/or upfront payment for processing the refund.
Tips to stay safe:
- Don’t give out payment info over the phone.
- Be wary of unsolicited contact and requests for personally identifiable information.
- Contact your travel provider directly using known contact details.
4. Fake Product Sites & Pop-Up Summer Sales
How the scams work: Scammers know that everyone loves a good summer bargain or sale. They create fraudulent ads on social media and promote limited-time sales on sunglasses, swimwear, or outdoor gear. Scam victims, usually receive knock-off products or nothing at all.
Tips to stay safe:
- Use secure payment methods like PayPal or virtual cards.
- Avoid shopping from random ads.
- Verify the legitimacy of the site and lookup reviews online.
5. “Your Family Member is in Trouble” Travel Scam
How these scams work: You get a call saying your friend or relative was robbed or detained abroad and needs money urgently. Sometimes, AI deepfake voice tech mimics their voice.
Tips to stay safe:
- Verify with a second call or text before acting.
- Don’t send money until you speak directly to the person or a verified source.
Bonus Tip: Don’t Overshare on Social Media
Vacation pics and location tags can alert scammers (and burglars) that you’re away from home.
- Delay posting until you’re back.
- Keep your travel plans private from strangers.
You may also want to read:
- Block the Scam: Bitdefender’s New Call Protection Feature for Android Puts You in Control
- Florida Lottery Scam Alert: Don’t Fall for ‘You’ve Won’ Phone Calls
- Call Spoofing: What It Is, How It Works, and How to Protect Yourself
Stay Scam-Free this Summer With Bitdefender:
|
Tool |
What it does |
Who it’s for |
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AI-powered scam detector. Paste suspicious texts, |
Everyone, especially non-tech-savvy users and families |
|
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Checks any URL for safety before you click—perfect for |
Everyone |
|
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Blocks known scam numbers, flags suspicious calls in |
Android users who want scam call defense on the go |
Bitdefender has your back this summer, protecting your digital life. All you need to do is remain vigilant and don’t forget the sunscreen.