The highlight of summer for many people is taking that long-awaited vacation, whether it's an escape to a country cabin or an exciting tour of a foreign city. Before booking your trip, however, be on the lookout for scams. According to AARP, travelers should be wary of too-good-to-be-true deals on vacation rentals and car hires. 

Vacation rental scams, for example, often involve properties listed with enticingly low rates and exceptional amenities. Scammers may hijack legitimate listings or create entirely fictitious ones using stolen images. They typically push for quick deals and upfront payments, only for travelers to discover the truth upon arrival. 

Car rental scams also surge during peak travel seasons, as fraudsters entice travelers with low rates then insist on advance payments, often through untraceable methods like gift cards or prepaid debit cards. 

With this in mind, verification of an offer is essential, says AARP. Use Google street view to make sure a property exists, for example, and insist on a detailed rental agreement. When renting a car, make sure you are accessing the company's legitimate website and verify that the customer service number is real.  

AARP also offers these tips to protect yourself from becoming a victim of vacation fraud: 

- Research the property, owner, and travel deals thoroughly. 
- Never pay by wire transfer, prepaid debit card, or gift card. 
- Pay by credit card for added security and potential recourse. 
- Verify all terms in writing, including cancellation and refund policies. 

If you do find yourself the victim of a scam, report the incident to local law enforcement as soon as possible.