“Hot” Fraud Tips for Summer

Check Fraud: An Old Scam That’s Still Hot

Check fraud continues to be a major issue, especially during the summer when people are away from home and checking accounts less frequently. Criminals may steal checks from mailboxes, alter payees or amounts, or create counterfeit checks using stolen information.

Protect yourself by:

• Reviewing bank statements regularly
• Using secure mailboxes or mailing outgoing mail directly from inside of the  post office
• Reporting missing or altered checks to the bank immediately

Mailing Tips: Keep Your Mail Safe

Mail theft increases during summer months as vacations leave mailboxes unattended. Fraudsters look for checks, personal information, and account details they can exploit.

Best practices include:

• Placing a mail hold with the post office when traveling
• Picking up mail promptly
• Avoiding leaving outgoing mail in unsecured mailboxes
• Shredding sensitive documents before disposal

Tickets and Event Scams: Don’t Get Burned

Concerts, festivals, sporting events, and fairs are in full swing in July—and so are fake ticket scams. Fraudsters sell counterfeit tickets or advertise events that don’t exist, often through social media or resale sites.

Warning signs to watch for:

• Prices that seem too good to be true
• Pressure to pay quickly
• Requests for payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or peer-to-peer apps

Always buy tickets from official sellers or well-known, trusted platforms.

Keep Fraud from Spoiling Your Summer

Summer should be about fun, not financial stress. Staying aware of seasonal fraud trends, protecting your mail, and slowing down before making payments can help keep your July scam-free.

When fraud heats up, staying informed is the best way to stay cool.