As temperatures begin to rise and vacation dates creep ever-closer, people become more relaxed, schedules become looser and vacationers travel to unfamiliar locations. As summer approaches, many fraudsters may attempt to take advantage of folks in their relaxed state.

Here at Ascend, we’ve provided you with 3 tips so you can have a scam-free summer.

Never pay for a “prize” vacation

So, you won an all-expense-paid trip to Aruba? Or a vacay in a remote French chalet? Sounds like a dream come true, but don’t bite. If you’re asked to pay even a small fee to claim a free vacation prize, you’re looking at a scam. A legitimate company will never ask winners to pay a fee for a prize.

Use a credit card when traveling

A credit card will offer you the most protection in case something goes wrong. You’ll be able to dispute unauthorized charges, and in most cases, reclaim your lost funds.

Check for skimmers at the pump

If you’ll be spending a lot of time on the road this summer, it’s a good idea to check the card reader for skimmers. A card skimmer will read your credit or debit card information, enabling a scammer to empty your accounts. Here’s how to check for a skimmer on a card reader:

• Try to wiggle the card reader; this should dislodge a skimmer if there is one.

• Check the keypad to see if it looks newer than the rest of the card reader.

• Touch the surface of the keypad to see if it’s raised.

Fun vacations and summer plans shouldn’t be ruined by scam attempts. Arm yourself with this information and go forward into the summer knowing you can have stress-free fun!

For more information on how to protect yourself from fraud, click here.

If you believe you have fallen victim to a scam or suspect that fraud has affected your Ascend account, contact us immediately at 800-342-3086. Your security is our top priority.