Summer Scams to Watch Out For in 2026

Summer scams can show up when life gets busy. Vacations, festivals, home projects, online shopping, and travel plans all create moments when scammers may try to catch people off guard.

Here in Michigan, summer often means heading Up North, booking a lake rental, buying concert tickets, hiring a contractor, or managing money on the go. A little awareness can help you protect your accounts, personal information, and peace of mind.

At Independent Bank, we believe financial confidence starts with awareness. Here are common summer scams to watch out for in 2026 and practical steps you can take to protect yourself.

Why Do Scams Increase During the Summer?

Summer creates more opportunities for fraud because people tend to travel more, book lodging online, use public Wi-Fi, hire contractors, and make quick purchases for seasonal events.

Scammers often rely on urgency. A text about a missed delivery, a “limited-time” vacation deal, or a contractor offering a same-day discount can feel believable when you’re juggling travel plans, summer camps, or home repairs.

That’s why one of the best fraud-prevention habits is simple: slow down, verify the request, and check your account activity regularly.

How can you spot fake vacation rental and travel scams?

Michigan summers bring increased travel to places like Traverse City, Mackinac Island, Sleeping Bear Dunes, and lake communities across the state. Scammers know many travelers are searching online for cottages, cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warns that travel scams often involve pressure to pay quickly, unusually cheap listings, or payment requests through methods that are difficult to recover, such as wire transfers, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or payment apps.

Common warning signs include:

• Prices that seem unusually low for the location
• Pressure to pay immediately
• Requests for wire transfers, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or payment apps
• Listings copied from legitimate rental websites
• Limited contact information
• Poor communication or vague answers
• Refusal to let you verify the property

Some scammers create fake listings using photos stolen from real rental properties. Others impersonate booking platforms with phishing emails or fake websites.

How to protect yourself:

• Book through trusted travel platforms
• Research property reviews carefully
• Verify the address and contact information
• Compare pricing with similar rentals nearby
• Avoid unusual payment methods
• Be cautious of urgent payment requests
• Search the listing photos to see if they appear elsewhere online

If a deal feels too good to be true, it is worth pausing before you send money.

How can you spot text message and phishing scams?

Text scams, sometimes called “smishing” scams, continue to target consumers with messages that look urgent or official. During the summer, scammers may send messages about travel, deliveries, toll roads, festivals, concert tickets, or bank alerts.

You may receive a text claiming:

• Your package could not be delivered
• You owe unpaid toll fees
• Your bank account was locked
• Your concert tickets need verification
• Your account has suspicious activity
• You need to confirm personal information

These messages often include links designed to steal passwords, account information, debit card details, or verification codes. The FTC recommends forwarding suspicious texts to 7726, reporting them through your messaging app, and reporting fraud at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

What should you do?

• Do not click suspicious links
• Do not reply with personal information
• Never share passwords or verification codes
• Contact the company directly through its official website or app
• Delete and report suspicious texts

Independent Bank will never ask for your online banking password, PIN, full debit card number, or a transfer to “protect” your money. If you receive an unexpected message that appears to be from the bank, contact us directly using a trusted phone number or secure channel.

Using digital banking tools and account alerts can also help you spot unusual activity. With ONE Wallet, customers can check balances, view account activity, transfer funds, manage debit card settings, and bank from a phone or computer.

What should you know about contractor and home improvement scams?

Summer is one of the busiest seasons for home improvement projects in Michigan. Roofing, landscaping, deck repairs, driveway work, and storm cleanup can all create opportunities for dishonest contractors.

Common red flags include:

• Door-to-door sales pressure
• Requests for large upfront payments
• No written estimate or contract
• Refusal to provide references
• Vague answers about licensing or insurance
• “Today only” pricing
• Pressure to finance the project immediately

Scammers may take payment and never complete the work. Others may perform low-quality repairs that create more problems later.

How to stay safer:

• Research contractors before hiring
• Get multiple estimates
• Ask for references
• Review online complaints and ratings
• Confirm licensing and insurance when applicable
• Get all project details in writing
• Avoid making a rushed decision at the door

Michigan residents can also use the Michigan Attorney General’s Consumer Protection resources to review alerts or file a complaint when they believe a business has acted unfairly or dishonestly.

How do payment app and online marketplace scams work?

Peer-to-peer payment apps and online marketplaces make it easier to buy, sell, and send money quickly. That convenience can be helpful, but scammers also use those platforms to target people during busy summer months.

Common scams include:

• Fake online marketplace listings
• Fake concert, festival, or sporting event tickets
• “Accidental payment” requests
• QR code scams at events
• Requests to pay outside a trusted platform
• Sellers who disappear after payment

One common tactic involves a scammer claiming they accidentally sent you money, then asking you to send it back before the original payment is reversed or disappears.

Smart payment habits include:

• Only send money to people you know and trust
• Double-check usernames, phone numbers, and payment details
• Avoid unknown QR codes
• Be cautious of sellers who rush you
• Use secure, verified payment platforms
• Avoid moving a transaction off the original marketplace

It is also a good idea to review your bank transactions regularly so you can identify suspicious activity as soon as possible.

How can you protect yourself from summer scams?

While scam tactics continue to evolve, a few steady habits can help protect your finances and personal information.

Helpful safety tips:

• Monitor your bank accounts regularly
• Enable transaction alerts in ONE Wallet
• Use strong, unique passwords
• Avoid public Wi-Fi for financial transactions
• Verify requests before sending money
• Keep your devices and apps updated
• Pause before clicking unfamiliar links
• Be cautious when someone asks for gift cards, cryptocurrency, payment apps, or wire transfers

Scammers often rely on urgency and distraction. Slowing down and verifying information can help you avoid becoming a target.

What should you do if you think you’ve been scammed?

If you believe you may have interacted with a scammer, acting quickly can help limit the damage.

Important first steps:

• Contact your bank immediately
• Change compromised passwords
• Monitor your accounts closely
• Freeze or replace affected cards if needed
• Save screenshots, emails, receipts, and messages
• Report fraud to the appropriate authorities

Independent Bank customers can also use ONE Wallet tools and account alerts to stay connected to their finances wherever summer takes them.

For broader fraud education, visit Independent Bank’s Fraud & Security Center, which includes information about common scams, identity theft, imposter scams, malware scams, account takeover scams, and ways to protect personal and business information.