Frustrated young lady lost savings as scams operation result – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by fizkes
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody has released what her office calls a list of several “summer scams” that residents should steer clear of.
The cons range from home-improvement scams to vacation scams.
“We are near the midway point of the summer season,” Moody said. “Vacations are coming to an end as families prepare to send students back to school, but don’t count on scammers slowing down. Please keep your guard up and take precautions to avoid falling prey to scams through the remainder of this summer and beyond.”
Keep reading to find out the seven summer scams Florida residents should be aware of and tips to help them avoid becoming victims.
Vacation Rental Scams
Online listings for fake hotels or vacation rentals may ask for an application fee, a security deposit, or personal information to book. Before giving any money or information to possible hosts of accommodations, be sure to conduct proper research.
Free Wi-Fi Scams
People frequently connect to free Wi-Fi when traveling in order to conserve bandwidth. There are several ways that hackers use public Wi-Fi, but they can all be easily avoided if the right security measures are implemented.
Fake Menu and Front Desk Scams
Travelers should be warned that con artists may call random targets while posing as hotel staff to say a credit card payment is being denied. These scammers will request confirmation of the credit card information, expiration date, and verification code once they have gained your trust.
Storm Preparation Scams
Hurricane season is in full swing, and shady contractors may offer bogus stormproof goods or construction services in exchange for a sizable down payment. Verify the credentials and reputation of a contractor online. Review product claims for stormproof-ness. Before spending money up ahead, get many documented estimates and exercise caution.
Online ‘Summer Deals’ Scams
Huge summer discounts are held by many online businesses, and scammers may imitate these occasions to send malware, phishing texts, and other messages to clients in an effort to obtain their personal or financial information.
Low-Cost Moving Scams
Due to the fact that it occurs in between academic school years, the summer is typically one of the most sought-after seasons of the year to migrate. Knowing the most common signs of moving scams might assist to avoid unforeseen excessive charges, missing items, or even property being held for ransom.
Summer Employment Scams
Employment scammers can target teenagers who are out of school and looking for summer work; they can also target high school and college students who are looking for part-time jobs throughout the academic year. It’s thrilling to receive a job offer, but Florida’s attorney general advises residents to investigate the position before responding to inquiries about themselves or divulging critical data like Social Security numbers.
Make sure you are staying up-to-date with the latest and most important Florida news with Florida Insider. Whether you are interested in business, education, government, history, sports, real estate, nature, weather, or travel: we have something for everyone. Follow along for the best stories in the Sunshine State.
Melissa’s career in writing started more than 20 years ago. Today, she lives in South Florida with her husband and two boys.
