New Job, New Scams: Why Teens Are a Growing Target

Getting your first paycheck is exciting! Whether it’s from a part-time job, freelance work, or summer gig, earning your own money is a big step toward independence and financial freedom. 

But that new freedom also comes with risks, especially when it comes to online scams targeting teens and young adults. Scammers know younger earners are still learning the basics of money management, and they’ll quickly target you with fake job offers, sketchy social media messages, and other scams. 

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Why teens are targeted 

Teens are new to managing money and may not know what financial red flags look like. That lack of experience can make it easier for scammers to take advantage. It’s not about being careless — it’s about not knowing what to watch out for. 

Younger people are also more likely to be curious and trusting, especially when something sounds urgent or exciting. Combine that with a lot of time spent on social media, gaming platforms, or online marketplaces, and scammers have the perfect opportunity. 

💡 Smart tip: Assume anything online could be fake. Scammers are great at copying logos, websites, and messages to make their scams look real. 

Common types of online scams targeting teens 

Scammers often disguise their tricks as everyday opportunities — job offers, online deals, or friendly DMs. Here are some of the most common ones to look out for: 

• 🧑‍💻 Job offer scams: They promise easy money for part-time work or “influencer” gigs. The catch? They ask for personal info, bank account access, or even upfront payments to "get started."
• 🛍️ Online marketplace scams: These happen when teens buy or sell items through apps like Depop, eBay, or Facebook Marketplace. Scammers may take payment and disappear or send fake screenshots pretending to pay.
• 📱 Social media scams: Fake giveaways, phishing links that steal passwords, impersonated influencers offering deals or rewards . . . the list goes on. You might even see messages from fake “sugar daddies” offering money in exchange for photos, companionship, or sensitive info.
• 🎓 Scholarship scams: They may ask you to pay a fee for a guaranteed award. But real scholarships don’t cost money to apply.
• 🏦 Banking scams: These can be text messages or emails that look like they’re from your bank asking you to “verify” your details. It’s a tactic used to steal account access. 

Warning signs to watch for 

Scams aren’t always obvious. They can seem friendly, urgent, or even professional. 

🚩 Learn to spot these red flags before things escalate: 

• 💬 Asking for personal or financial information online
• ⏳ Pressuring you to act fast or keep it a secret
• ✨ Offers that sound too good to be true
• 💵 Requesting payment through gift cards, crypto, or wire transfers
• 🔗 Suspicious links or attachments in emails, DMs, or texts
• 📱 Requests to switch platforms mid-conversation
• 📝 Vague job descriptions, sketchy profiles, or poor grammar 

When in doubt, pause. Ask a trusted adult before clicking or sharing anything. Your gut instinct is often right. 

How teens can protect themselves online 

Check out job offers first. Google the company name, read reviews, and look for a legit website or social media presence. Ask a parent or teacher for a second opinion. 

Use job-check tools. Look up companies on Glassdoor or the Better Business Bureau. Search forums like Reddit for scam reports or fake job warnings. Double-check the sender’s email address (real companies don’t use free email domains). 

Stick to trusted platforms. When buying or selling online, use secure payment options like PayPal or in-app tools. Don’t switch to Venmo, Cash App, or Zelle if asked — it’s a red flag. 🚩 

Check your payment app settings. Set transactions to private, and make sure to enable a PIN, password, or fingerprint login. Turn on suspicious activity notifications to stay notified. 

Keep your info private. Never share your bank login, Social Security number, home address, or ID details over text or DM. 

Use a dedicated email for job hunting. This can help you avoid spam and spot suspicious messages faster. 

Use built-in parental controls. Some families set up supervised bank accounts or use apps to monitor transactions and limit risky activity. 

💡Smart tip: A quick online search could be the thing that stops a scam before it starts. 

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What to do if you’re targeted or scammed 

If something feels off, stop responding immediately. But don’t delete any written conversations. Instead, take screenshots of usernames, email addresses, phone numbers, and payment receipts. These can help when reporting the scam. 

🛑 Block and report. Use platform tools to report the account and block further messages. This helps protect others, too. 

Tell a parent, teacher, or trusted adult right away. They can help you contact your bank, lock down your accounts, and report the issue fast. 

If your personal or banking information was shared, call your bank to freeze the account or flag suspicious activity. Then, report the scam to: 

• The Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
• The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
• Local law enforcement

📢 Good to know: If your bank is FDIC-insured and your money is stolen in a scam, you may be eligible to get up to $250,000 back. ​​

✅ ​Scam protection checklist 

Realizing you’re being scammed can be overwhelming and push all logical thinking away. Taking a few small steps now can help protect your money later: 

• 🔒 Use a password manager. It helps create strong, unique passwords.
• ⚠️ Turn on account alerts. Get notified immediately if your info is used or money is withdrawn.
• 📱 Enable two-factor authentication (2FA). This adds an extra layer of security to your accounts.
• 🛡️ Stay educated. Check out free resources like:
  • MyMoney.gov
  • Consumer.gov
  • Your school’s financial literacy program

Stay smart and safe 

Learning how to earn and manage your money is a big milestone — and knowing how to protect it makes you even more savvy. The more you know about scams, the safer your finances will be. 

There’s no shame in asking questions or double-checking something that seems suspicious. Open conversations with trusted adults can help you grow your financial confidence. 

🧠 Being smart with your money isn’t just about knowing how to save — it’s also about staying safe! 

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