It’s officially summer: Out-of-office replies are popping up, vacation plans are in full swing, and teams are a little more relaxed than usual. Unfortunately, cybercriminals know this too. The summer season often brings a spike in targeted scams, and your business could be more vulnerable than you think.
From phony invoices to gift card shakedowns, these scams often slip through when teams are moving fast, short-staffed, or simply distracted. That’s why now is the perfect time to arm your employees with the tools they need to spot red flags before damage is done.
Let’s explore the most common summer scams and how your team can stay protected without disrupting their well-deserved time off.
1. Spoofed Invoices from “Event” Vendors or Travel Planners
The Scam: Your accounts payable team receives what looks like a legitimate invoice from a travel or event planning vendor—think “Q3 Team Offsite Deposit” or “Company Retreat Shuttle Services.” The problem? You never booked those services.
Why It Works in Summer: These scams play on assumptions: Maybe someone else in leadership booked it? Maybe it was approved before they left for vacation? Scammers exploit this uncertainty and the natural communication slowdowns during summer.
How to Prevent It:
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Verify all vendor invoices through a second channel, especially new ones.
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Implement an internal approval process with named decision-makers.
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Encourage your team to pause and ask questions rather than rush to pay quickly.
2. The “Gift Card Request” Scam
The Scam: A staff member receives an email that appears to be from the CEO or manager, urgently asking them to purchase gift cards for a last-minute vendor thank-you, team bonus, or event. The message ends with: “Just text me the codes. I’m traveling with limited reception.”
Why It Works in Summer: The sender’s “travel status” makes the unusual request more believable. Employees want to be helpful and responsive—especially to leadership—and don’t want to disturb a boss on vacation.
How to Prevent It:
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Remind employees that no executive will request gift cards over email or text. Ever.
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Use internal communication platforms (like Teams or Slack) to validate suspicious requests.
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Add a company-wide “anti-scam” policy that outlines what will never be asked electronically.
3. Travel-Linked Phishing Emails
The Scam: Fake confirmations from airlines, hotels, or booking sites hit your team’s inboxes with links to “view itinerary” or “confirm travel changes.”
Why It Works in Summer: Employees may be expecting legitimate travel confirmations, so their guard is down. One wrong click and malware gets in.
How to Prevent It:
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Coach your team to check sender addresses carefully.
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Hover over links to see where they really lead.
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Use email security tools that flag spoofed domains and suspicious attachments.
Real-World Incident: Houston Small Business Loses $20K in Phone Scam
In late June 2025, a small business owner in Houston experienced a devastating loss. Just days after receiving a $20,000 loan intended to help grow her business, she fell victim to a sophisticated phone scam that drained her bank account.
The scam began with a call from someone posing as a representative from her bank. The caller claimed there was suspicious activity on her account and needed to verify some information to secure the funds. Trusting the caller, she provided the requested details. Shortly after, she discovered that her entire $20,000 loan had been withdrawn without her authorization.
This incident highlights how scammers exploit the busy and often understaffed summer months to target small businesses. The combination of increased financial activity, such as loans or seasonal investments, and reduced oversight due to vacations can create the perfect storm for fraudsters.
Key Takeaways:
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Always verify the identity of callers claiming to be from financial institutions by contacting the bank directly using official channels.
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Be cautious of unsolicited requests for sensitive information, especially during periods of increased financial transactions.
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Implement strict verification protocols for financial activities, regardless of the urgency conveyed by the requester.
For more details on this incident, you can read the full story here: click2houston.com
Quick Summer Cybersecurity Checklist
Remind your team of your invoice approval policy.
Reiterate your “no gift cards by email or text” rule.
Share this quiz in a morning huddle or internal newsletter.
Audit your inbox filtering and spoofing protections.
Schedule a summer security check-in with GiaSpace.
Would You Fall for It? A Summer Scam Quiz for Your Team
Test your instincts with this 7-question quiz and see how well you’d handle real-world summer scam scenarios. Tally your answers and check the key at the end!
Questions
1. You receive an invoice labeled “Summer Retreat Logistics – Final Payment Due Today” from a vendor name you don’t recognize. What’s your first move?
A) Forward it to accounting—better safe than sorry
B) Pay it. It must have been booked before leadership left
C) Verify it through a known point of contact or internal chain
D) Ignore it completely
2. Your “CEO” texts you while on vacation, urgently asking for $500 in gift cards to thank a vendor. The message reads: “Quick—send me the codes, can’t talk right now.” What do you do?
A) Grab the gift cards—it’s your CEO!
B) Call them to double-check
C) Report the message—it’s likely a scam
D) Text back asking for clarification
3. A teammate receives a travel confirmation from an airline they don’t remember booking. The sender address is “[email protected]“. What’s the best response?
A) Click the link—maybe someone else booked it for them
B) Forward to IT and flag it as suspicious
C) Screenshot it and post to Slack for laughs
D) Delete it—no harm done
4. Which of the following is a legitimate security practice during vacation-heavy months?
A) Approving invoices faster to keep things moving
B) Skipping MFA for convenience
C) Requiring verbal or Slack confirmation for payment approvals
D) Using personal email to handle company matters while traveling
5. You receive a link to “view your itinerary” from a booking service you don’t recall using. What should you do first?
A) Click the link just to see—can’t hurt, right?
B) Hover over the link to inspect the real URL
C) Forward it to coworkers asking if they booked anything
D) Assume it’s spam and delete it
6. True or False: If a message comes from a familiar name or company, it’s probably safe.
A) True
B) False
7. Your coworker paid a fake invoice by mistake. What’s the first thing they should do?’
A) Say nothing and hope no one notices
B) Email the vendor asking for a refund
C) Report it immediately to IT or your security team
D) Post about it on social media to warn others
Answer Key
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C – Verify it through a known point of contact
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C – Report the message—it’s likely a scam
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B – Forward to IT and flag it as suspicious
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C – Requiring verbal or Slack confirmation for payment approvals
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B – Hover over the link to inspect the real URL
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B – False
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C – Report it immediately to IT or your security team
Scam Scorecard
6–7 Correct: Scam-Savvy Superhero – You’re sharp, cautious, and an asset to your team.
4–5 Correct: Pretty Aware – Great instincts! Keep practicing those safe habits.
1–3 Correct: Time for a Refresher – Summer’s a great time to revisit security basics—and we’re here to help.
Keep Things Secure—Because No One Wants a Cyber Mess in July
Summer should be a time to unwind, not worry about scam emails or surprise invoices. A few small habits—like double-checking unexpected requests or slowing down before clicking a link—can go a long way.
Feel free to share this quiz with your team, bring it up in a morning huddle, or just use it as a reminder that staying alert doesn’t have to be complicated.
And if you’re not sure where to start, or just want to make sure your setup’s in a good place, we are here to help.
Contact GiaSpace or schedule your consultation today and we will walk you through what’s realistic for your team, your industry, and your goals this summer.
