Scams That Target Teens

The story: Too good to be true

Jade and Alex read a job offer on a phone and spot its red flags: a rush, a request to keep quiet and gift card pay.

1. Narrator: Jade gets a message: “Easy job! Receive packages, reship them, earn $500 a week.” Example message.
2. Jade: That’s a lot of money for almost no work.
3. Alex: Look closer. They want an answer in an hour, say not to tell anyone, and pay in gift cards.
4. Narrator: Pressure, secrecy and a strange way to pay. Those are the three red flags.
5. Narrator: Reshipping or moving money for strangers can make you a money mule. That can be a crime, even if you didn’t know.
6. Jade: I’ll block it, report it and tell my family.
7. Narrator: Pressure plus secrecy plus a weird payment equals a scam.

What you’ll learn

1. The three red flags

   Most scams push you to act fast (pressure) and to keep quiet (secrecy). They want gift cards, wires, crypto or payment apps (strange payment). When you spot them, stop.

2. Scams aimed at teens

   Watch for fake jobs, reshipping, fake checks, giveaways with a fee, and fake ticket or rental sellers. Others are game trades off the platform, crypto “mentors” and investment romance scams.

3. Never move money for others

   “Just move this money for me” makes you a money mule. Mules can lose their bank accounts and face charges. If a job or new friend asks you to pass money along, say no. Tell a trusted adult.

4. Fake voices and threats

   AI can fake a voice. If a “family emergency” call wants money fast, hang up and call back on a number you know. If someone threatens to share private photos, it’s not your fault. Don’t pay, stop replying, save evidence, tell a trusted adult and report it.

Key words

money mule

someone who moves money for others, often for scammers

phishing

a message that tricks you into sharing info or tapping a bad link

sextortion

threatening to share private images unless someone pays or sends more (the term the FBI and NCMEC use)

red flag

a warning sign that something is wrong

Common questions

What if I already sent money?

Tell a trusted adult and contact your bank or the payment app right away. Report it to the FTC. Acting fast can sometimes stop or get back a payment.

Can private images really be taken down?

Yes. Platforms must remove intimate images shared without consent after a valid request. For minors, NCMEC’s Take It Down tool helps. Links are on the fact cards.

Remember this

Pressure + secrecy + weird payment = scam.

Try it: Lock down and set a code word

1. Set your social accounts to private, or practice on a sample settings screen.
2. Agree on a code word with family or another trusted adult.
3. Save the report links from the fact cards.

The whole mission; no account or app needed.

Live facts

Numbers that change over time, with when they were last checked and where they come from.

• Report a scam

  Source: FTC ReportFraud(opens in a new tab)

• Report online crime

  Source: FBI IC3(opens in a new tab)

• Get private images of minors taken down

  Source: NCMEC Take It Down(opens in a new tab)

• Report exploitation of a minor

  Source: NCMEC CyberTipline(opens in a new tab)