Library of Congress Federal Credit Union

What to Watch For

Summer brings more freedom, more travel, and more time spent online planning vacations, events, and seasonal activities. Unfortunately, scammers know that too.

As routines change and schedules get busier, fraud attempts often increase. From fake vacation rentals to phishing texts and payment app scams, many summer scams are designed to catch people when they are distracted, rushed, or excited about upcoming plans.

The good news is that a few simple habits can help protect your personal and financial information.

Vacation and Rental Scams

Scammers may post rental properties that do not exist or copy photos from legitimate listings to make fake offers look real. They often create pressure by claiming:

• dates are filling up fast
• special pricing ends soon
• payment is needed immediately

What Helps

• Research rental properties independently
• Read reviews carefully
• Avoid payment methods with little protection
• Be cautious of deals that seem unusually inexpensive

Phishing Messages and Fake Alerts

Summer can also bring more phishing attempts tied to deliveries, travel reservations, account alerts, and seasonal promotions. These messages may claim there is a problem with your account, a package delivery issue, suspicious activity tied to a recent purchase, or a problem with payment information.

Many scams work because they are designed to look legitimate and create urgency.

What Helps

• Slow down before clicking links
• Verify alerts through official websites or apps
• Be cautious of unexpected texts or emails
• Watch for unusual sender addresses

Payment App and Marketplace Scams

Summer often means more online buying and selling, especially for event tickets, outdoor equipment, furniture, and travel items. Scammers may create fake listings, request fast payment, and disappear once money is sent.

What Helps

• Verify sellers before sending money
• Avoid paying unfamiliar individuals upfront
• Use secure payment methods when possible
• Be cautious of pressure to “act now”

Public Wi-Fi and Travel Safety

When traveling, it is easy to quickly connect to public Wi-Fi at airports, hotels, coffee shops, or restaurants without thinking twice. While convenient, public networks may not always be secure.

What Helps

• Avoid accessing sensitive accounts on public Wi-Fi
• Use strong passwords and multi-factor authentication
• Keep devices updated
• Log out of accounts when finished

A Good Rule for Any Season

Most scams rely on urgency. Scammers want people to react before they have time to think. That is why one of the most important habits is also one of the simplest: Pause before taking action.

If something feels unusual, rushed, or too good to be true, take a moment to verify it independently.

Helping members stay informed about evolving scams is part of how we support and protect our community. LCFCU will never ask for your password, PIN, or one-time verification code. If you receive suspicious calls, emails, texts, or account alerts, contact LCFCU directly before responding or sharing information.

A few extra moments of caution can go a long way toward helping protect your accounts and your peace of mind this summer.