Beware Wi-Fi Fraud as Common Summer Scam, Warns US Attorney

Wi-Fi fraud is among the most common summer scams consumers need to look out for, warned U.S. Attorney Dena King of the Western District of North Carolina in tips Wednesday. During the summer, many people are on the go, and with more and more businesses, restaurants and venues offering free Wi-Fi access, “it is easy to become a victim” of Wi-Fi fraud, she said. Fraudsters typically use what appears to be legitimate free Wi-Fi “to dupe users into connecting to networks that can steal their information,” said King. Free Wi-Fi networks "are generally unsecured," she said. "To the extent possible, avoid using them altogether, but definitely avoid using them to transmit sensitive information or conduct financial transactions.” Summer is a popular time “for scammers to maximize their profits by preying on consumers trying to save money on a good summer deal,” she said.