Scams Targeting Teens

With technology advancing, more teens spending time online—on social media, gaming platforms, and  other digital marketplaces and due to all this, they’ve become a prime target for modern scammers. Teenagers these days are tech-savvy, but many of them haven’t yet learned how to spot the red flags of fraud.

 

Below are most common scams targeting teens and some tips to avoid becoming a victim.

1. Gaming Scams

Scammers will try to offer free in-game currency, or cheat codes through fake websites or messages. These often lead to phishing attempts or malware downloads.

Red Flags:

  • Promises of free V-Bucks, Robux, or in-game rewards.

  • Requests to log in through unofficial links.

  • Downloads from suspicious sites or YouTube video descriptions.

Stay Safe:

  • Only use the official game store.

  • Never share your login details.

  • Use two/multi-factor authentication on all your accounts.

2. Fake Online Stores & Dropshipping Scams

Teens love trendy clothes, gadgets, and sneakers—but many fake stores advertise on Instagram, TikTok, or Snapchat. These stores often disappear after taking payments.

Red Flags:

  • Prices that seem too good to be true.

  • No customer reviews or suspicious reviews.

  • Payment by crypto, cash apps, or gift cards only.

Stay Safe:

  • Always do your research before buying.

  • Check for “https://” in URLs and look up reviews on trusted platforms.

  • Stick to reputable retailers or platforms like Amazon, Etsy, etc.

3. Social Media Influencer Scams

Fake accounts offer teens the chance to become "brand ambassadors" in exchange for buying products or sharing personal information.

Red Flags:

  • Direct Message (DM) from an unknown brand with a quick offer.

  • Asking for payment to receive “free” products.

  • Poor grammar and rushed replies.

Stay Safe:

  • Verify if the brand has a real website.

  • Don’t send money or share sensitive info.

  • Ask a parent or older sibling before moving forward.

4. “Get Rich Quick” Money Scams

Scams offering jobs, crypto flips, or fast cash often target teens on TikTok, Discord or other social media platforms. Some even ask teens to open bank accounts or share their debit card details.

Red Flags:

  • “Make $500 a day from home!”

  • Requests to receive or transfer money for others.

  • Pressure to act fast or “miss out.”

Stay Safe:

  • Remember: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

  • Never share banking info with strangers.

  • Don’t let anyone use your account to move money.

5. Scholarship, Contest & Survey Scams

Some websites claim to offer scholarships or prizes but instead they will collect your data, sell it, or install malware.

Red Flags:

  • Asking for SSNs, passport numbers, or credit card info.

  • No real contact info or privacy policy.

  • Poor website design or suspicious links.

Stay Safe:

  • Use trusted sources like your school’s website or scholarship databases.

  • Don’t give out personal info unless you’re sure it’s safe.

Tips for Teens (and Parents!)

 

  • Double-check everything. If something seems off, it probably is.

  • Talk to someone. Don’t be afraid to ask a parent, teacher, or friend.

  • Keep personal info private. Especially on social media.

  • Report it. Help others by sharing what happened and reporting scams to platforms or local authorities.

 

Scammers are getting smarter, but so are teens. Awareness is your best defense. The more we talk about scams, the fewer people fall for them.

 

Add comment

Comments

There are no comments yet.