Teen Scam Awareness: How to Spot Red Flags Before You Click, Pay, or Share

Teens and young adults spend a lot of time online, from shopping and gaming to applying for jobs, sending money, and managing their first accounts. That convenience can also make it easier for scammers to reach them through familiar-looking messages, websites, and offers.

According to Federal Trade Commission data cited by FedPayments Improvement, people age 29 and younger lost nearly $500 million to scams in 2025. Knowing what common scams look like can help young people slow down, verify what is real, and avoid sharing money or personal information with the wrong person.

Why Teens and Young Adults Can Be Targeted

Many young people are managing money independently for the first time. Scammers may use social media, online marketplaces, gaming communities, text messages, and email to make a request feel normal or trustworthy.

Common Scams to Watch For

Be cautious of:

  • Online shopping scams with fake deals or lookalike websites

  • Job scams that ask for money upfront

  • Fake check scams that ask you to send part of the money elsewhere

  • Rental scams that pressure you to send a deposit quickly

  • Requests for payment through gift cards or peer-to-peer payment apps

  • Requests for passwords, account information, or verification codes

Know the Red Flags

A legitimate employer should not require you to pay upfront for a job or use your personal account to move company money. Reputable businesses should not ask you to pay bills or purchases with gift cards, and legitimate organizations should not pressure you to send money or sensitive information immediately.

If something feels rushed, unusual, or too good to be true, stop and verify it before taking the next step.

Build Safer Money Habits

Review your account activity regularly and question transactions you do not recognize. Be cautious before sending money to someone you have only communicated with online, and independently verify job offers, rental listings, and shopping websites.

For teens just beginning to manage money, it can also help to talk through unfamiliar requests with a parent, trusted adult, or financial institution before making a payment.

What to Do If Something Seems Suspicious

Do not respond, send additional money, or provide more information. If you share account information or notice an unfamiliar transaction, contact Mid Carolina Credit Union as soon as possible.

For more fraud prevention tips and resources, visit midcarolinacu.com/fraud-prevention.

Lynn Blizzard