Teens live online: shopping, gaming, texting, posting, banking, applying for jobs, using payment apps, and following creators. That means scammers, hackers, fake stores, fake job offers, phishing links, identity thieves, and “easy money” traps can target teens too.

This TeenCash page teaches teens how to recognize scams, protect personal information, use strong passwords, avoid fake jobs and fake scholarships, stay safe with payment apps, and know what to do if something feels wrong.

Important: This page is educational. If you think your money, account, identity, or personal information has been stolen, tell a trusted adult immediately and contact the proper bank, platform, school, or government reporting website.

Quick Jump

• What Financial Safety Means
• Common Teen Scams
• Identity Theft
• Password & Account Safety
• Payment App Safety
• Social Media Safety
• Fake Jobs & Scholarships
• What To Do If Scammed
• Trusted Resources
• 20 Quiz Questions

Financial safety means protecting your money, identity, accounts, passwords, devices, and personal information from people who want to steal, trick, pressure, or manipulate you.

Financial safety includes:

• Knowing scam warning signs
• Using strong passwords
• Protecting bank and payment app information
• Keeping personal details private
• Avoiding fake jobs and fake giveaways
• Reporting fraud quickly
• Asking trusted adults before risky money moves

TeenCash truth: The easiest money to keep is the money you protect before scammers reach it.

A scam is when someone tricks you into giving money, information, account access, or something valuable. Scams can happen through texts, DMs, emails, websites, calls, gaming chats, social media, and fake apps.

Scams teens may see

• Fake giveaways: “You won! Pay a fee to claim your prize.”
• Money flips: “Send $20 and I’ll send back $200.”
• Fake stores: social media shops that take money and never deliver.
• Fake jobs: high pay, no experience, but you must pay first.
• Fake scholarships: asking for fees or too much personal information.
• Romance scams: someone pretends to care, then asks for money.
• Phishing: fake messages that try to steal passwords or account information.
• Fake investment offers: “guaranteed profits” or “no risk” promises.

Universal scam red flags

• “Act now!”
• “Do not tell your parents.”
• “Send money first.”
• “Pay with gift cards, crypto, wire transfer, or payment app.”
• “Guaranteed money.”
• “I need your login code.”
• “This is secret.”

Learn more from the FTC:
FTC Consumer Advice – Scams

Identity theft happens when someone uses your personal information without permission. Teens can be targeted because their information may not be checked often.

Information identity thieves want

• Full legal name
• Birthdate
• Address
• Social Security number
• School information
• Email address
• Phone number
• Bank or card information
• Account passwords

Identity theft warning signs

• You receive mail about accounts you did not open
• Your bank or payment app shows strange charges
• You get password reset emails you did not request
• Your account is locked or taken over
• A stranger has personal details they should not know

If identity theft happens, use:
IdentityTheft.gov

Passwords protect your accounts like locks protect doors. Weak passwords, repeated passwords, and shared passwords make it easier for scammers to break in.

Strong password habits

• Use long passwords
• Use different passwords for important accounts
• Do not use only your birthday, pet name, or school name
• Do not share passwords with friends or dating partners
• Turn on multi-factor authentication when available
• Log out on shared devices
• Update passwords if something feels suspicious

Never share:

• Passwords
• PINs
• One-time codes
• Bank logins
• Card security codes
• Account recovery links

Learn more from the FTC:
FTC – Online Privacy and Security

Payment apps and digital wallets make money move fast. That is convenient, but fast money can also mean fast mistakes.

Payment app safety rules

• Only send money to people you know and trust
• Double-check usernames before sending
• Do not send money because someone pressures you
• Do not use payment apps for suspicious purchases
• Turn on app security settings
• Review transaction history regularly
• Ask a trusted adult before sending money to a new person or business

Debit card safety rules

• Keep your card in a safe place
• Report lost cards quickly
• Do not post card photos online
• Do not save card details on random websites
• Check statements for strange charges

Scammers use social media to gather information. Even normal posts can reveal too much.

Be careful posting:

• Your address
• Your school schedule
• Your daily location
• Vacation plans while away from home
• Photos of IDs, cards, tickets, or mail
• Bank or payment app screenshots
• Private family money information

TeenCash social media rule

If a stranger could use it to guess your password, find you, scam you, or pretend to be you, do not post it.

Teens looking for money, college help, internships, or remote work can be targeted by fake opportunities.

Fake job red flags

• Very high pay for little work
• No interview or unclear job duties
• You must pay for training or equipment first
• You receive a check and must send money back
• The employer only uses messaging apps
• The website or email looks suspicious
• They ask for bank login or sensitive information too early

Fake scholarship red flags

• Application fee required
• Guaranteed scholarship
• Pressure to act immediately
• Requests for unnecessary personal information
• No official organization information

Learn more from the FTC:
FTC – Job Scams

Getting scammed can feel embarrassing, but silence helps scammers. Getting help quickly protects you and others.

Steps to take

1. Stop communication with the scammer
2. Do not send more money
3. Take screenshots and save messages
4. Tell a trusted adult immediately
5. Contact your bank, card company, or payment app
6. Change passwords
7. Turn on multi-factor authentication
8. Report fraud using trusted websites
9. Monitor accounts for strange activity

Report fraud here:

• FTC – ReportFraud.ftc.gov
• IdentityTheft.gov
• FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center

• FTC Consumer Advice – Scams
• FTC – Report Fraud
• IdentityTheft.gov
• FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
• FTC – Identity Theft and Online Security
• FTC – Job Scams
• CFPB – Fraud and Scams
• FDIC – Money Smart for Young People
• Investor.gov – Investment Fraud
• USA.gov – Scams and Fraud

1. What is financial fraud?
   Answer: Tricking someone to steal money, personal information, or account access.
2. What is a scam?
   Answer: A dishonest trick designed to steal money, information, or valuables.
3. What is identity theft?
   Answer: When someone uses another person’s personal information without permission.
4. Name one scam red flag.
   Answer: “Act now,” “send money first,” “keep it secret,” or “guaranteed money.”
5. Should you share one-time verification codes?
   Answer: No.
6. What is phishing?
   Answer: Fake messages or websites designed to steal information.
7. What should you do with suspicious links?
   Answer: Do not click them.
8. What is multi-factor authentication?
   Answer: Extra account protection requiring more than just a password.
9. True or false: Reusing the same password everywhere is safe.
   Answer: False.
10. Name one thing you should never post online.
    Answer: Bank information, card photos, address, private IDs, or account screenshots.
11. What is a fake job scam?
    Answer: A fake employment offer used to steal money or personal information.
12. What is a fake scholarship red flag?
    Answer: Application fee, guaranteed award, urgent pressure, or suspicious personal information request.
13. Should you send money to strangers through payment apps?
    Answer: No.
14. What should you do if you think you were scammed?
    Answer: Stop communication, tell a trusted adult, change passwords, contact financial institutions, and report it.
15. Where can fraud be reported in the U.S.?
    Answer: ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
16. Where can identity theft be reported?
    Answer: IdentityTheft.gov.
17. What is the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center website?
    Answer: IC3.gov.
18. True or false: If a deal sounds too good to be true, it may be a scam.
    Answer: True.
19. Name one trusted financial safety resource.
    Answer: FTC, IdentityTheft.gov, IC3, CFPB, FDIC, Investor.gov, or USA.gov.
20. What is the TeenCash main message for this page?
    Answer: Protect your money, identity, accounts, and future from scams and fraud.