What online scams target teens, and how do you spot them?
Online scams targeting teens include fake support warnings, hacked friends' accounts asking for a login code, fake giveaways, free-coin offers and item-trade tricks. They use fear, time pressure, secrecy or prizes that are too good to be true. Never share your password or codes, check with friends another way, and report it.
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Why it matters
Scammers try fear, free gifts or your friends' hacked accounts to get your password or login codes. You'll learn their tricks so you never hand over a code.
In 6 minutes you'll be able to
- Fear, time pressure and free gifts are scammers' tricks.
- Never give your passwords or codes to anyone, not even friends.
- Something weird? Check with your friend another way, show your parents, report it.
What you'll practise
Fake warning
This message claims to be from support. Tap all the warning signs.
Support Team ✔️
WARNING!!! Your account will be deleted in 2 hours!
We have detected breaches of the rules. To save your account, send us your password and the 6-digit code from your text message.
Click here: support-account-rescue.xyzHacked friend
This message comes from Amira's account. But is it really Amira writing? Tap the warning signs.
Amira 🌸
hey! i need ur help quick 🙏 i accidentally sent a code to ur number, can u forward it to me? don't tell anyone tho 😅Fake stamp
Real or fake? Stamp each message.
- “Giveaway! The first 100 people get a new phone. Just enter your login details.” → Fake!
- “Trade: give me your rare skin first, I'll send you two back after.” → Fake!
- Your app settings say: “New login on another device” → Probably real
- “Free 10,000 game coins! Just download this extra app.” → Fake!
- Ben asks you at break if you want to game together later → Probably real
- “Is this you in this video?? 😱” with a short link → Fake!
Remember
Nobody real needs your password or codes. Not support, not even your best friend.
Real support never asks for your password or codes.
Key facts
- The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center received 859,532 complaints of suspected internet crime in 2024, with reported losses of more than $16 billion, up 33% from 2023. · Source: FBI IC3, Internet Crime Report 2024
- In the hacked-friend scam, criminals message you from a contact's taken-over account and ask you to pass on a six-digit code “sent by mistake”. The code is really for your own account, and sharing it hands it over. · Source: Action Fraud (UK national fraud reporting centre), account takeover warning
- Turning on two-step verification means a stolen password or code alone is usually not enough to take over an account, which is why fraud agencies recommend it.
- Fake giveaways, free in-game currency and “trade first” offers are common in games and video apps because they promise something young players really want.
Updated:
Questions people ask
What are common scams targeting teens?
Fake account warnings, hacked friends asking for a code, fake giveaways, free game-currency generators, item-trade scams and shocking “is this you?” links that lead to fake login pages.
Why should you never share a verification code?
A verification code is the last key to your account. Whoever has it, together with your number or password, can log in as you and lock you out.
What should I do if my account gets hacked?
Tell a parent or trusted adult, use the app's account recovery to change your password, turn on two-step verification, and warn your friends so they don't fall for messages sent from your account.
Are free game coin generators real?
No. Free coins from outside the official game are almost always a scam to steal your login, or a download that hides malware.
Related terms