Can You Spot a Scam?

You’re most likely to encounter scammers when shopping online. Scammers often use low prices to grab your attention, and they create a sense of urgency to get you to act fast. They might, for example, claim that PlayStations or concert tickets are selling out quickly, suggesting that you’d better hurry or you’ll miss out big time. 

Once you’ve given a scammer money, the items you bought might never arrive—or you might receive a fake instead. Nike recently sued nearly 600 websites for selling fake versions of its sneakers.

Scammers usually prefer payments through apps like Zelle, Venmo, or Cash App because the money is transferred instantly. Unfortunately, that can make it more difficult to get your money back. 

The best ways to avoid online shopping scams are to never (ever) send money to strangers and to be cautious of items that seem oddly low-priced. If a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Online shopping sites aren’t the only places where scammers lurk. Gaming platforms like Roblox and games like Fortnite also attract criminals. The games are free, but you can make purchases, such as clothing for your avatar, while playing. 

Here’s one nefarious way scammers trick players: A scammer sends a message offering special rewards in the game—like free coins. Because you can purchase things in the game, the offer might not seem that strange. But clicking the link will take you to a website asking for your username or other personal information or requiring you to download something to get the reward. It’s through this step that a scammer can steal a lot of money quickly, for example by getting access to a parent’s bank account or credit card.

The good news is that you can avoid being tricked. Always log into games through official sites or apps, and never click on ads or links unless you know for certain that they are legitimate. Ignore offers to “collect” anything being given out for free. 

Most important of all, never share your password or other personal information.

On social media, scammers often prey on people’s desire to be famous. One common con goes like this: A cool clothing company messages you on TikTok, asking you to represent its brand. This is your chance to be the next big social media influencer! You can already see your future filled with millions of likes and followers. 

But first . . . the company wants you to participate in a quick training session. Just send $50, and you can begin.

Don’t do it! 

This is a trick. Scammers create fake accounts to make you believe they work for a particular company. They might offer you a job or brand partnership. Then they request money for training or a background check. After you send the money, guess what happens? The scammer disappears. 

Real jobs don’t make you pay fees up front. Research any company that contacts you online, and tell a trusted adult, such as a parent, about any communications you receive. You can also google the brand’s name and the word scam and see what comes up. 

It’s a sad reality that scammers are out there, but by being cautious, you can avoid becoming their next victim.