Common Social Engineering Frauds
Phishing via Social Media: Scammers pose as friends on social media platforms, sending messages with links to fake websites offering free game skins, rewards, or other incentives.
Tactics: Teens are tricked into clicking the link and entering their account credentials on a fake login page, resulting in account theft or unauthorized access.
Fake Scholarship Scams: Scammers promote false scholarship opportunities through emails or ads, targeting students looking for financial aid for their education.
Tactics: Teens are asked to submit personal information such as their home address, school details, or even financial data, which is then used for identity theft or sold to third parties.
Catfishing: A scammer pretends to be a peer or potential friend online, building a fake relationship with the teen over time.
Tactics: The scammer gains the teen's trust and manipulates them into sharing personal photos or sensitive information, which is later used for blackmail or harassment.
Fake Competitions or Giveaways: Scammers create fraudulent online contests or giveaways, offering prizes such as gadgets or gift cards to lure teens into participating.
Tactics: Teens are asked to provide personal details like their phone number, email, or home address, which can be sold to marketing companies or used for scams.
Tech Support Scams: Scammers claim that the teen's computer, gaming console, or phone has been infected with a virus and offer fake "tech support" services to fix it.
Tactics: Teens are convinced to download malware or provide remote access to their device, allowing scammers to steal personal data or install malicious software.