Spring into Security: Don’t Let Fraud Bloom This Season

May marks more than just the beginning of sunny days and backyard barbecues. It’s also a prime season for scammers who love to take advantage of spring distractions, tax refunds, and vacation planning. But don’t worry—we’ve got your back with tips to help you smell the roses without getting pricked by fraudsters.

Why May Matters

Scam activity tends to surge in the spring. Why?

• Tax season just ended, and many people have refunds on the way—or already in their accounts. Scammers know this and ramp up phishing and impersonation attempts.
• Travel season begins. Fake vacation rental scams, bogus flight deals, and phishing emails pretending to be from airlines increase dramatically starting in May.
• Graduation and gift-giving. With more purchases and money exchanges happening, fraudsters blend in with the buzz.

In fact, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reported that Americans lost over $10 billion to fraud in 2023, with a noticeable spike during spring and summer. That’s a 14% increase from the year before!

May Scams in Full Bloom

Here are a few seasonal scams that flourish this time of year:

1. “Refund Processing” Scams
You get a text or email claiming to be from the IRS or your bank, saying there’s an issue with your tax refund. Spoiler alert: it’s fake. The IRS never initiates contact via text or email.

2. Vacation Booking Frauds
That charming beach house for $75/night? If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Scammers create fake listings or clone real ones to trick eager vacation planners into sending deposits they’ll never see again.

3. “Congratulations, Graduate!” Gift Card Scams
Scammers impersonate school officials or family members, requesting gift cards as “last-minute grad gifts.” Once you send the card and share the code—poof—it’s gone.

4. Gardening & Home Improvement Scams
Warmer weather means more people are planning projects. Watch out for fake landscaping services or unlicensed contractors who demand upfront payment and vanish.

How to Stay One Step Ahead

Be skeptical of urgency.
Scammers love phrases like “Act now!” or “Last chance!” Take a breath and think it through. And if it seems to good to be true, it probably is.

Don’t click unexpected links.
Even if it looks like it’s from your bank or a trusted source. When in doubt, type the web address directly into your browser or call the company using a verified number.

Use multifactor authentication (MFA).
It adds an extra layer of protection to your accounts—even if your password is compromised.

Check your credit and account activity regularly.
Use account alerts and review statements to catch suspicious activity early.

Report suspicious activity.
Don’t just delete it—report scams to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov. If your financial institution has a fraud team (and we do!), let them know too.

Fun Fact: Scammers Have Seasons Too

Just like pumpkin spice lattes come in fall, scammers have their own seasonal menu:

• Spring: Travel scams and IRS imposters
• Summer: Utility shutoff scams and job offer phishing
• Fall: Student loan and charity donation scams
• Winter: Holiday shopping and shipping scams

Knowing the “fraud calendar” can help you stay alert year-round.