Scams Directed at Children
July 3, 2023
Children, and especially teens, spend a significant amount of time online. As a result, they are often targets for fraud and scams. According to the FBI, individuals aged 19 and younger reported nearly 15,000 scam incidents in 2021, resulting in a loss of $101.4 million.
One of the best ways to protect children is for both parents and kids to be informed of the most common types of scams directed toward younger people. Below is a list of popular scams and some of the ways scammers use them.
- Online shopping scams – often disguised as a deal that is too good to be true
- Online quizzes – be wary of ones that ask for personal information such as birthdays, pet names, addresses, favorite movies and shows, the names of close friends, etc.
- Fake contests – if your child is asked to pay money to enter a contest, it is most likely a scam
- Pop-up scams – never click on a pop-up that is not clearly from a trusted source, as it could be used to download malware or spyware on the computer or device
- Money transfer scams – scammers will use cash apps to send users money and then claim it was sent by accident and ask the individual to send it back. Upon sending money back, the victim of the scam will find out the original payment never went through
- Online gaming scams – never share personal information or send money to anyone you meet through an online game
- Financial aid scams – never pay a fee to apply for a scholarship or grant. Scammers may ask for your bank account number or credit card information
- “Free” service scams – always read the fine print in relation to “free” service, as many come with a subscription fee after the free trial
Beyond being informed, here are some additional ways children and teens can protect themselves from fraud and scams:
- Install malware and antivirus software
- Do not use the same password for multiple sites
- Do not click on links in emails or messages from anyone you don't know or trust
- Do not provide personal information unless you are certain you can trust the individual or company receiving it
- Never pay to enter a contest, apply for a scholarship, or get a job
- Tell your parents or a trusted adult if you think you have been scammed
If you are a parent, taking the time to discuss the dangers of scams can go a long way. Teach your children to be especially cautious when they come across situations in which it is possible for someone to be scammed.