The Most Common Scams Targeting Young People and How to Avoid Them

Published Nov. 3, 2026 

While technology has created incredible opportunities, it has also created new avenues for scammers to reach younger audiences. Young people are often comfortable with technology, but familiarity with digital tools does not always translate into an understanding of digital risk.

In fact, fraud experts are seeing a growing number of scams specifically designed to target younger consumers through channels they use every day, including social media, online gaming platforms, mobile apps and text messages.

The good news is that awareness and preparation remain some of the most effective defenses.

The Most Common Scams Targeting Young People

Gaming Scams

Online gaming is a common setting for scams targeting children and teens. Common schemes include:

• Fake offers for free in-game currency
• Fraudulent giveaways
• Account takeover attempts
• Phishing links disguised as rewards
• Scams involving virtual item trading

Social Media Scams

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) identifies social media as a major fraud channel. Young people are frequent targets of deceptive ads, fake online storefronts, giveaways, and impersonation scams.

Red flags include:

• Unrealistic discounts
• Pressure to act immediately
• Requests to pay outside trusted platforms
• Messages claiming you've won a prize

Identity Theft

Children can also become identity theft victims. Criminals may use a child's Social Security number to open accounts, obtain benefits or commit employment fraud.

Experian notes that children generally should not have credit reports, having one may signal fraud.

Smart Money Habits = Fraud Prevention

One of the most effective ways to protect young people from fraud is to help them become active participants in managing money.

When young people regularly review transactions, set savings goals, track spending and make financial decisions, they're more likely to notice when something doesn't look right. Financial awareness and fraud awareness often go hand in hand.

Through Kinecta's MyCash experience, young members can engage with money in a meaningful way while trusted adults maintain visibility and guidance. Families can access savings goals, budgeting tools, financial education content, allowances, tasks, money requests, and parent-managed transfers through online and mobile banking.

Rather than simply reacting when a problem occurs, parents and caregivers can use these tools to create regular conversations about spending decisions, online purchases and financial responsibility.

Five Practical Ways Parents Can Help Protect Young People

1. Use Parental Controls

The FTC recommends using parental controls as one tool for creating safer online environments and reinforcing family expectations around internet use.

Controls can help manage:

• App downloads
• Purchases
• Screen time
• Online interactions
• Content access

2. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication

Whenever available, enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) on financial accounts, email accounts, gaming platforms and social media.

MFA adds an additional layer of protection and can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized account access.

3. Review Financial Activity Together

Many scams succeed because victims don't recognize warning signs until after the damage is done.

Creating regular opportunities to review spending activity can help develop awareness of how money moves and build habits that may help them identify suspicious transactions more quickly.

Kinecta's MyCash experience provides shared visibility into a child's financial activity through online and mobile banking, creating opportunities to discuss spending decisions, identify financial concerns and reinforce healthy financial habits. Parent-managed transfers and oversight features help caregivers remain involved while young people build independence.

4. Consider Freezing a Child's Credit

Experian advises that parents and guardians can request a security freeze for children under 16 to help prevent unauthorized credit activity. The freeze remains in place until it is removed by the report owner.

This is one of the strongest protections available against child identity theft.

5. Encourage Verification Before Action

One simple habit can prevent countless scams: Pause before responding.

Encourage young people to ask:

• Who sent this?
• How do I know it's legitimate?
• Why are they asking me to act immediately?
• Can I verify this another way?

Scammers rely on urgency. Critical thinking is often the best defense.

Fraud Prevention Starts Before Fraud Occurs

Young people who understand how money works, monitor their spending, recognize unusual activity and feel comfortable asking questions are often better positioned to identify potential scams before they become victims. That's one reason financial education and fraud prevention are so closely connected.

Tools like MyCash help create opportunities for young people to practice financial decision-making while trusted adults provide support and oversight.

Through budgeting tools, savings goals, financial education resources, and ongoing visibility into account activity, families can help build the critical-thinking skills that are often a scammer's biggest obstacle.

Learn more about how to protect yourself from fraud at our Security Center.