Common Scams Targeting Youth

Know how to recognize and avoid common trending scams targeting teens and younger to protect your children from falling victim.

Social Media Scams
Social media is used by scammers to steal information through fake surveys, events or contests. They may also try posing as an unknown person trying to befriend teens with the intention of stealing personal information or taking their money.

Tip: Make sure teens set social media accounts to private so information and pictures are not easily accessible. It is important to talk to them about the risks of sharing personal or account information with someone they do not know.

Cellphone Freebies
Scammers will lure teens through social media with "free" ring tones, wallpapers, gift cards or other items so that they opt into their services. These services often have hidden, expensive monthly subscriptions that youth bankers oftentimes don’t realize they’re subscribing to.

Tip: Talk to your youth banker about how to research companies and that they should never share information by creating an account or opting into free trials that require payment information upfront.

Online Auctions
Teens are tricked into bidding and paying for items that never arrive. Alternatively, scammers trick teens into sending items to sell but never receive their payment, or the auction never takes place.

Tip: Help your teen learn how to research any company or auction site thoroughly before participating in the biddings to make sure it’s legitimate. Help them to review and monitor transactions that you have approved.