Don’t Get Burned: Watch Out for These Summertime Scams in Colorado
Ah, summertime in Colorado. The sun’s shining on Red Rocks, the trails are calling, and there’s a certain kind of freedom in the air. But just as we’re heading out for hikes, barbecues, and long weekends, cybercriminals are heating up their phishing tactics—ready to pounce when defenses are down.
At eCreek, we’ve seen firsthand how these seasonal scams can slip past even the most cautious teams. So let’s walk through some of the biggest summertime phishing scams to watch out for in Colorado—and how to make sure your business doesn’t get scorched.
1. Too-Good-to-Be-True Travel Deals
Vacation dreams can cloud our judgment. Cybercriminals know this and send out phishing emails advertising unbeatable flight prices, hotel steals, or last-minute getaways. One click can lead to fake booking sites designed to steal your personal info—or worse, company credentials if you’re using a work device.
🔍 Locals planning quick getaways to the mountains or out-of-state road trips may be tempted by these deals—especially during popular times like Fourth of July weekend or Labor Day.
Pro Tip: Train your staff to verify travel sites and never input company logins on personal booking pages.
2. Wildfire Relief Donation Scams
Unfortunately, Colorado’s wildfire season can bring out bad actors looking to profit from tragedy. Phishing emails often impersonate legitimate charities or relief organizations—complete with logos, fake links, and heart-tugging messages.
🚨 Real talk: After a damaging wildfire season, we’ve seen these scams spike. These emails often circulate through business inboxes under the guise of corporate giving.
Pro Tip: Always double-check donation URLs or go directly to verified charity websites. And consider implementing phishing simulations that include emotional bait scenarios.
3. Fake Package Delivery Notifications
With everyone ordering summer gear, outdoor supplies, or event tickets, scammers send out phishing texts and emails claiming you missed a delivery. These messages often include tracking links or attachments that install malware.
📦 Whether you’re waiting on your next REI haul or that new fly rod, it’s easy to click without thinking.
Pro Tip: Educate employees not to click links in suspicious delivery notices—especially if they’re using work emails to track personal shipments.
4. Event Ticket Scams
Summer in Colorado is packed with festivals, concerts, and events. Scammers take advantage of sold-out shows and high demand by sending phishing emails promoting “available” tickets—usually leading to fake checkout portals.
🎸Phishing messages offering tickets to a Red Rocks show or the Colorado State Fair are common bait.
Pro Tip: Avoid clicking ticket links from email unless they’re from a known, verified seller. And as a business, make sure your staff isn’t using company devices for risky personal browsing.
5. Phony Vacation Out-of-Office Emails
This one’s clever. Hackers who’ve already breached an inbox might set an “Out of Office” auto-response directing recipients to click a malicious link or contact a fraudulent backup contact. It’s a twist on the classic business email compromise (BEC) tactic.
🧳 Why it works: During the summer, people expect their contacts to be OOO—so these fake messages often go unnoticed until it’s too late.
Pro Tip: Enforce strong email authentication and monitor email forwarding or auto-responses for suspicious activity.
Protecting Your Business with eCreek
Whether you’re a local non-profit, a legal team in downtown Denver, or a manufacturer on the Front Range, summertime phishing scams can sneak in during your busiest (or most relaxed) moments. That’s where we come in.
At eCreek, we stay ahead of seasonal cyberthreats so you don’t have to. We help Colorado businesses:
✅ Run phishing simulations tailored to real-world scams
✅ Monitor for suspicious behavior—even when you’re on the lake
✅ Implement smart filtering, MFA, and endpoint protection
✅ Train your staff to spot the bait before it bites
Don’t Let a Scam Ruin Your Summer
Take a minute before you click. Pause before you donate. And if something smells phishy—trust your gut. Or better yet, trust eCreek.
We’re Colorado Real, Committed to Partnership, and proud to be your local team for IT support, cybersecurity, and compliance.
☀️ Schedule a free cybersecurity assessment today and let’s keep your summer breezy, not breeched.
