Summer may be a time for relaxation, but fraudsters never rest. Don't worry - we're here to help keep you safe and your summer breezy. Here are some tips to keep you protected as financial scams heat up.

5 Summer Scams to Watch Out For

1. Phishing Season

The warmer weather is a great time to hit the water with a cold one and your fishing pole, but for scammers its also phishing season. Phishing attempts to bait you through fraudulent emails, texts, and calls posing as legitimate companies and organizations. Scammers try to hook into your sensitive personal and financial information by creating a sense of urgency or emergency, such as a fake fraud alert.

Always be wary of emails, texts, and calls you receive asking for immediate action. Never provide sensitive information in an email or over the phone and, when in doubt, contact the company or organization directly using the contact information listed on their website to confirm if its really them.

Always remember - we'll never call or email you to ask for your private information, such as your digital banking username and password, PIN, or Social Security Number.

Related Read: Fight Back Against Phishing

2. Pesky Pop-Ups

Enjoy a summer filled with popsicles, not pop-up scams. In this scam, pop-ups appear on your computer or phone in an attempt to gain access to your computer or bank account. Most often, pop-ups look as though they're coming from a tech support company or financial institution and warn you of a fake security issue or fraud alert. You're often asked to call a phone number or fill out a form online to get help.

If you receive a pop-up, never allow access to your computer and do not give out your bank account or payment information online or over the phone. As always, check the legitimacy of the company and contact them directly if you have concerns.

3. Summer Side-Gigs

More people than ever are using the additional summer daylight to pick up a seasonal side hustle. While it's a great time to rake in some extra cash, stay vigilant when you're looking for that extra gig. Scammers will often pose as a fake company offering higher than usual pay for the position in an attempt to break into your bank account.

Watch out for potential red flags, such as a company asking for payment upfront, requesting your banking username and password, or "accidentally" overpaying you via check and asking you to send the difference back. Be wary of unsolicited job offers via email, social media, or online messaging platforms and always do research to make sure a company is legitimate. A good rule of thumb is if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Related Read: Navigate the Job Market Safely

4. Love Is in the Air

Summer is a season of romance and con artists often try to take advantage of the love in the air. Scammers take advantage of online dating sites, apps, and social media to create a fake profile with the intention of conning you into giving up your cash. They will often move quickly, seeming genuinely endearing and caring to gain your affection and trust. They make plans to meet in person but never follow through, and often propose a serious relationship or even marriage very quickly.

Always exercise caution when dating online. Go slowly and ask lots of questions. Make sure you research the person you're communicating with and confirm the details they tell you are true. Be wary of anyone asking you to leave the dating platform or social media too quickly and watch out for red flags like excessive interest in your finances or attempts to isolate you from family and friends.

Most importantly, never send money to someone you have never met in person and never share your account details, such as your login info and account number, with anyone.

5. Cryptocurrency Cons

Digital currencies offer many new and exciting opportunities for investment and innovation; however, scammers are also trying to capitalize on the rising popularity of cryptocurrency. Investing your hard-earned money in a digital currency scheme can be a huge hit to your finances and caution should always be exercised when making any investment.

Navigate the world of cryptocurrency safely by keeping an eye out for fake digital currency exchanges and wallets and phishing scams. Always do your research and perform due diligence to avoid pyramid schemes and fake offerings that often promise high rewards with little to no risk. Use trusted, legitimate platforms to ensure you're keeping your money safe.

Related Read: How to Spot a Cryptocurrency Scam