Spotting tricks and scams
Most online tricks follow the same handful of patterns. Once you know what to look for, they get a lot easier to spot.
Phishing is a trick where someone sends a fake message pretending to be from a real company, or a real person, to steal your information or your money. The name sounds like "fishing" on purpose, because the trickster is casting out a message and waiting to see who bites.
Common warning signs
A few patterns show up again and again in scams and tricks:
- Urgency. "Act now or your account will be deleted." Real companies rarely demand you act in the next five minutes.
- Too good to be true offers. Free gift cards, prizes you never entered to win, or huge amounts of money for almost nothing.
- Asking for information a real company wouldn't need. Your password, a code that was just texted to you, or your parent's credit card number.
- Small mistakes. Odd spelling, a slightly wrong web address, or a company logo that looks a little off.
- Pressure from someone you don't fully know. A stranger online who suddenly needs your help, your login, or your trust, fast.
Seeing even one of these signs doesn't automatically mean something is a scam, but seeing several together is a strong reason to stop and check with a trusted adult before doing anything.
Spot the scam. Read each message below and decide which warning signs it shows.
- "Congratulations! You've won a free gaming console! Click here and enter your parent's email and password within 10 minutes to claim it."
- "Hi, this is your school reminding you that picture day is next Tuesday."
- "URGENT: Your game account will be deleted in 1 hour unless you reply with your login code right now!"
Messages 1 and 3 both use urgency and ask for information a real company or game wouldn't need this way. Message 2 doesn't ask for anything and isn't urgent.
What should I do if something feels off?
Don't click the link, don't reply, and don't enter any information. Show it to a parent, guardian or another trusted adult, and let them help you decide what to do. It's always okay to ask, even if it turns out to be nothing.
- Phishing
- A trick where someone sends a fake message pretending to be from a real company, to steal your information.
Name two common warning signs of a scam message.
Any two of these count: urgency, offers that seem too good to be true, requests for information a real company wouldn't need, odd spelling or a slightly wrong web address, and pressure from someone you don't fully know.
What is phishing?
A trick where someone sends a fake message pretending to be from a real company, to steal your information or money.
What should you do if a message feels off?
Don't click, don't reply, don't enter any information, and show it to a trusted adult.
- Phishing is a fake message pretending to be from someone real, to steal your information.
- Urgency, too good to be true offers, and unusual requests for information are common warning signs.
- If something feels off, stop and show it to a trusted adult before doing anything.