Online crooks are on the prowl as millions of people across the UK book last-minute holidays, hunt for summer sales bargains, and track an influx of online orders.
Cybercriminals are taking full advantage, launching sophisticated scams that could leave victims with empty bank accounts or stolen personal data.
According to cyber security specialists FoxTech, August is among the riskiest months for falling foul of digital fraud as people are distracted by holiday plans, outdoor activities and school holidays.
The firm said: “Scammers are fully aware that summer is a time when many people naturally relax their guard, whether they’re caught up in the excitement of booking a last-minute getaway or simply waiting on a steady stream of online orders to arrive. Inboxes become crowded with enticing offers and seemingly routine updates, which is precisely what cybercriminals are counting on to slip past our usual caution. Taking just a little extra time to examine the links you’re clicking on or to verify who has actually sent a message can ultimately prevent what might otherwise turn into weeks of stress, financial loss and disruption.”
The four biggest digital scams targeting UK consumers this summer how each one could seriously impact unsuspecting victims:
AI-generated fake travel deals.
With sophisticated AI tools now being used to build entire travel websites and produce booking confirmations that are virtually indistinguishable from genuine providers, British holidaymakers in a rush to secure last-minute breaks are more vulnerable than ever. People could find themselves paying hundreds or even thousands of pounds for trips that simply don’t exist, only to realise they’ve handed over sensitive personal and payment details to organised cybercriminals. This opens the door not only to losing money on a fake booking, but to having bank accounts or even identities compromised long after the initial scam.
Bogus delivery texts and emails.
Recent Google Trends data shows searches for “parcel scam text” have soared by 400% in just the last month, underlining how widespread these fake delivery notifications have become. These scams typically arrive as SMS messages or emails claiming there’s a missed delivery or small fee to pay, and the links often lead to phishing sites designed to steal bank logins, install malware or trick shoppers into handing over card details for bogus charges. Because these messages often sound urgent, many people click without thinking, only realising too late that they’ve given fraudsters direct access to their accounts.
Booking scams peaking in July.
MoneySavingExpert data highlights that July is statistically the worst month of the year for booking scams, as families and groups scramble to finalise holiday plans once schools break up. Fraudsters take advantage of this demand by advertising stunning deals on accommodation that either doesn’t exist or isn’t actually available to let. This can leave consumers out of pocket by hundreds or thousands of pounds, stranded without anywhere to stay, and forced to make last-minute alternative arrangements at even greater expense
Sharing boarding passes online leads to ID theft.
Many British travellers proudly post boarding passes or sunny airport selfies on social media, unaware that the barcode printed on those documents can be easily scanned by criminals. This seemingly harmless snap can give fraudsters all they need to hack into airline accounts, steal personal data or launch highly targeted phishing attacks that are far more convincing than generic spam. In the worst cases, people risk identity theft or future scams tailored precisely to their travel habits and personal information.
FoxTech is urging Brits to take simple steps to protect themselves from these scams during one of the busiest periods for online spending and travel:
*Double-check before clicking links: Always hover over links to see where they really lead, and be cautious of any message that tries to rush you into taking action.
*Verify delivery updates directly: If you get a text about a parcel, go straight to the courier’s official website instead of clicking the link.
*Research travel deals properly: Check independent reviews, confirm website contact details, and make sure it’s the official booking platform before paying.
*Keep boarding passes private: Never post travel documents online — that barcode contains more personal information than most people realise.
*Use multi-factor authentication: Adding a second step to logins protects your accounts even if your password does get stolen.
Foxtech added: “Scams are evolving rapidly, and what might look like a harmless deal or a routine delivery text could end up draining your bank account or exposing your personal data.
“Taking a few extra seconds to verify a message can spare you weeks of stress and financial headaches.”