Don’t get played. Learn the tricks before they trick you.
🎭 Scammers Know You Better Than You Think
They know what you click. They know what excites you. And they know just how to slide into your DMs like they’re your bestie, crush, or fave brand.
But today, you’re getting the playbook. Here are the Top 8 cyber scams that teens (and honestly, a lot of adults too) fall for—and exactly how to shut them down.
🕹️ 1. The “Free iPhone” Trap
“Congratulations! You’ve won a brand new iPhone 14! Click here to claim!”
🚩 Red Flags:
- Too-good-to-be-true prize
- Random message from a brand you never interacted with
- Requests for “shipping info” or “processing fees”
💡 Outsmart it: Never click links from random DMs or pop-ups. Real giveaways never ask for payment info. If you didn’t enter a contest—you didn’t win it.
❤️ 2. The Fake Flirt or Romance Scam
“Hey, can you help me out with a small gift card / phone credit / cash app?”
🚩 Red Flags:
- Too fast, too flirty
- Avoids video calls
- They love you but haven’t met you
💡 Outsmart it: Catfish love-bomb to build trust. Don’t send money or pics. Use reverse image search to check profile pics.
🏫 3. The “School Admin” or “Teacher” Email
“Your account is locked. Login now to avoid suspension.”
🚩 Red Flags:
- Weird sender address
- Urgent tone and link to strange URL
- Misspellings or odd grammar
💡 Outsmart it: Don’t click login links from emails. Check with school directly. Watch for fake subdomains (like your.school-admins.com).
🧠 4. The “Quiz Game” That Steals Info
“What does your favorite pizza topping say about your love life?”
🚩 Red Flags:
- Asks for birthdate, pet names, school names
- Redirects to shady sites
- Requires you to “sign in with Facebook”
💡 Outsmart it: These quizzes harvest answers to password reset questions. Don’t give real info—even for fun.
🎮 5. The Fake Gaming Codes or In-Game Currency Scam
“Free Robux! Just confirm your account here!”
🚩 Red Flags:
- Free currency or hacks that ask for account info
- Sketchy-looking websites
💡 Outsmart it: If it’s not from the game’s official site, skip it. Never give login info for “free” perks. Use 2FA on gaming accounts.
🎧 6. The Fake Spotify / Netflix “Account Suspension” Email
“Your subscription is expiring. Update your payment info.”
🚩 Red Flags:
- Email doesn’t come from the official domain
- Link leads to a weird URL
- Urgent language or countdown timers
💡 Outsmart it: Go to the official app or website, not links in emails. Don’t enter login or card info unless you’re 100% sure it’s real.
🎁 7. The Influencer Giveaway Scam
“You’ve won our giveaway! Just pay for shipping 🤑”
🚩 Red Flags:
- Fake-looking profile (extra letters, underscores)
- Asks for payment details
- No official winner announcement
💡 Outsmart it: Check the real influencer’s page. Never pay for a “free” win. Look for giveaways announced in public posts, not random DMs.
🧾 8. The Fake Online Store
“Trendy outfit for $6.99!”
🚩 Red Flags:
- No real reviews, no refund policy
- Poor grammar, fake photos
💡 Outsmart it: Google the store + “scam”. Stick to trusted sites. Use secure payment methods with buyer protection.
🧠 Your Scam-Shield Checklist
Before you click or reply, ask yourself:
- Did I expect this message?
- Is this too good to be true?
- Does the sender feel legit?
- Am I giving away something personal or valuable?
If anything feels shady, hit pause. You can always double-check later—but you can’t always undo damage.
💬 Tell a Friend
Scammers win when we stay quiet.
- Share this post with someone who always falls for “You’ve won!” messages 😅
- Screenshot the red flags
- Be the Cysecsis in your group chat
Coming next: The Password Mistakes You’re Probably Making
Yes, we’re looking at you, “iloveyou123.”
