Did you know teens and young adults can be especially susceptible to online scams? A 2023 study from Deloitte found Gen Z (12 to 29 year olds) to be more than three times as likely to fall for an online scam compared to baby boomers.

Part of this has to do with how much younger generations live their lives online. Scammers target youth through platforms where teens and young adults spend significant amounts of time, especially social media, video games and text messages.

Here are some tips to help teens and young adults stay safe, although note that they really apply to all of us!

Be wary of ads on social media

Some scammers take out social media ads with deals that seem too good to be true (they are). Everyone, not just young adults, can use a reminder that not everything is always as it appears online. It’s a good idea to research a company to make sure it’s reputable before making a purchase.

Be smart about peer-to-peer payments

Paying friends through their phone is second nature to teens and young adults, but they may not realize that once the money is sent, they can’t get it back. Everyone should double check that they’re paying the right person, and never send money to someone they don’t know well.

Limit credit card access on phones and gaming devices

If your credit card information is on your teen’s phone or gaming console, you run a greater risk of unauthorized purchases. Furthermore, teens making purchases online don’t always know which sites are risky and which are secure. By limiting what your teen can purchase on their device, you have a better chance of keeping your financial information safe.

Avoid unknown links

Scammers often send suspicious links through text messages, but it doesn’t stop there. Some scammers will target teens and young adults using social media, posing as a fan and commenting on their posts with links that could compromise their device. Avoid clicking on unknown links whenever possible.

Keep personal information private

In today’s social sharing environment, it may not seem like a big deal to share a birthday, hometown or even a pet’s name online, but this is the type of information scammers use to steal identities. Teens and young adults should be especially cautious about the information they share.

As scammers continue to find new and innovative ways to steal identities and money, everyone must stay vigilant. But for many teens and young adults who grew up online, it’s especially important to stay alert.