What Is a Scam?

Ages 3-5 Simple Explanation

You know how in stories there's sometimes a tricky fox who lies to get what it wants? A scam is like that, but in real life. A scammer is a person who tells lies to trick people into giving them things like money.

You know how a grown-up might remind you that not everything people say is true? On the internet, some people pretend to be nice or say you won a prize, but they're actually trying to trick you. That's called a scam.

If you're ever playing on a tablet and a message pops up saying you won something, don't click on it! Tell a grown-up instead. Real prizes don't just pop up on your screen, and those messages are usually tricks.

The best way to stay safe from scams is to always ask a grown-up before you click on anything or type any information into a computer or tablet. Grown-ups can help you figure out what's real and what's a trick.

Ages 6-8 More Detail

A scam is when someone tries to trick you into giving them money or personal information by lying. Scammers might pretend to be someone they're not, make up fake stories, or promise you something amazing that's too good to be true. Their whole plan is to fool you.

Scams can happen in lots of places. You might get a fake email that says you won a million dollars, a pop-up on a website that says your computer has a virus, or even a message from someone pretending to be your friend. These are all tricks to get you to click on something or share your information.

One of the best ways to spot a scam is the 'too good to be true' test. If someone says you won a contest you never entered, or that you can get a brand-new video game for free, there's almost always a catch. Real prizes don't come out of nowhere, and free stuff from strangers online usually isn't really free.

Another big warning sign is when someone asks you to hurry up. Scammers love to say things like 'Act now!' or 'This offer ends in 5 minutes!' They want you to rush so you don't have time to think about whether it's a trick.

If you ever see something online that looks like it might be a scam, don't click on it and don't type anything in. Just tell a parent or another trusted adult. It's always better to ask and find out it's fine than to click and find out it was a trick.

Ages 9-12 Full Explanation

A scam is any dishonest scheme designed to cheat someone out of money, personal information, or access to their accounts. Scammers use lies, fake identities, and tricks to fool people. And while you might think only adults fall for scams, kids and teens are targeted too, especially through gaming platforms, social media, and text messages.

One of the most common online scams is called phishing. This is when a scammer sends a message, often an email or text, pretending to be from a company you trust, like your favorite game or a streaming service. The message usually says something is wrong with your account and asks you to click a link and enter your username and password. But the link goes to a fake website that steals your login information.

Another scam kids run into is in online games, where someone offers free in-game currency, rare items, or cheats. These 'deals' almost always lead to fake websites that ask for your login info, download harmful software onto your device, or steal your account entirely. If someone offers something that seems too good to be true in a game, it almost always is.

Scammers also use social media to trick people. They might create a fake profile, pretend to be a friend, and then ask for personal information or money. Some run fake giveaways that ask you to enter your personal details to 'claim your prize.' Real giveaways from real companies never ask for your password or payment information.

Here are the golden rules for avoiding scams: never click on links in messages from people you don't know, never share your password with anyone (even if they claim to be from the company), be suspicious of anything that seems too good to be true, and never rush into action because a message tells you to hurry. If something feels off, trust your gut and talk to a parent about it.

If you do fall for a scam, don't be embarrassed. Scammers are professionals who trick smart people every day. The important thing is to tell a parent right away so they can help change your passwords, contact the right people, and make sure no more damage is done.