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Planning the perfect summer day out? Here's where scammers might try to join you
A family day out should be about making memories, not dodging scams. But scammers often target the moments that feel most ordinary: booking tickets, paying for parking, looking for somewhere to eat, or checking your phone while everyone else is busy.
Here's what that might look like over the course of a typical summer day.
8am: Booking attraction tickets
You've finally agreed on where you want to go. You find the attraction online and spot a deal that seems better than the rest. The website looks genuine, but it's a fake site designed to take payment or collect personal information.
When booking attractions, take a moment to check you're using the official website or a recognised ticket provider.
10am: A social media competition
Halfway through the journey, your partner spots a competition offering free family tickets for the summer holidays. It appears to come from a well-known attraction and includes a link to enter. Fake competitions are common during the summer months and are often designed to collect personal information.
Before entering, check the organisation's official website to make sure it's genuine.
11am: Paying for parking
You've finally arrived. The car park is busy and everyone is keen to get moving. The sign says 'scan here to pay'. Criminals sometimes place fake QR code stickers over genuine ones, directing people to fraudulent payment pages.
If possible, use the car park operator's app or website directly rather than scanning a QR code from a sign.
1pm: Lunch and a tempting offer
While deciding where to eat, a social media advert appears offering a huge discount at a nearby restaurant. It looks genuine and the offer appears to be ending soon.
Before following a link or making a payment, check the restaurant's own website or social media channels to make sure the offer is genuine.
3pm: Free public Wi‑Fi
The children are entertained, you're finally sitting down with a coffee, and your phone comes out. A free Wi‑Fi network is available and no password is required.
Public Wi‑Fi can expose information if you're accessing banking apps, financial accounts, or personal details.
If you're handling sensitive information, mobile data is often the safer option.
8pm: One last check of your work emails
The children are finally in bed and you're catching up on a few work emails before calling it a night. You spot an urgent email that appears to be from your company's CEO asking for help with something confidential. These impersonation scams rely on people acting quickly without verifying the request.
If an email asks for money, financial information, gift cards, or anything unusual, verify it through another channel before taking any action.
How to protect yourself
Scammers constantly adapt their tactics, but a few simple habits can help reduce your risk:
- Book tickets through official websites or authorised providers.
- Be cautious when scanning QR codes in public places.
- Treat unexpected requests for payment with care.
- Avoid entering sensitive information when connected to public Wi‑Fi.
What to do if you're concerned
If something doesn't feel right:
- Pause before acting.
- Don't send money or share personal information.
- Talk to someone you trust. A second opinion can often highlight something you've missed.
- Contact your bank immediately if you think you've been targeted.
- Report it through Report Fraud on 0300 123 2040, or Police Scotland if relevant.
Why this matters for your financial wellbeing
Looking back, none of these situations seems particularly dramatic. Booking tickets, paying for parking, checking messages, or catching up on emails are all ordinary parts of everyday life.
That's exactly why scammers target them. The most effective scams fit naturally into things we're already doing and seem perfectly reasonable at the time. They're the ones that fit naturally into things we're already doing and seem perfectly reasonable at the time.
Understanding where those moments happen won't stop every scam attempt, but it can make them much easier to spot before they become a problem.
Frequently asked questions
Most QR codes are genuine. However, criminals can replace legitimate codes with fraudulent versions, particularly in public places. Take a moment to check that the code appears authentic before entering any payment details.
Start by checking the website address carefully and looking for signs that you're dealing with an official provider. When possible, book directly through the attraction's website.
Public Wi‑Fi isn't automatically unsafe, but it can be less secure than a private connection. Avoid accessing financial accounts or entering sensitive information when using public networks.
Be cautious if an email asks you to make a payment, buy gift cards, share sensitive information, or keep something confidential. If the request feels unusual, verify it through another channel before taking any action.
