Worried about your kids getting scammed by online crooks? Tech tips to protect kids online

What comes to mind when you think of someone getting scammed? A grandma on the phone with some jerk? If so, this will probably surprise you.

The total money lost by teens in online scams grew by nearly 2,500% between 2017 and 2022. Victims under the age of 20 lost a staggering $210 million in 2022 alone.

Educating our kiddos on red flags is the first step in keeping them from becoming victims. That’s why I’m telling you about the scams and hacks targeting kids and teens right now.

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‘Send me a pic’

Sextortion scams increased an alarming 20% between October 2022 and March 2023. Scammers used to target adults, but teen boys have become their latest focus.

I spoke with a lawmaker on my national radio show, South Carolina State House Rep. Brandon Guffey, who is working to bring harsher punishments for this kind of sexual extortion. His son was targeted and took his own life in July 2022. Such a tragic story. The family is now suing Instagram.

Common tactics:

◾ Scammers create fake social media and gaming accounts, posing as an attractive young girl.

◾ They start talking to a teen boy, send over some pics, and then ask for nude photos or videos in return.

◾ If the victim sends one, the scammers demand a payout and threaten to post the incriminating photo or video for all their friends and family to see if they don't pay.

The threat of exposure causes major panic, and many kids try to make the payments. Don’t wait to talk about this one with your children. Let them know you’re there to help if something like this happens.

Game over

Roblox and Fortnite are household names among both kids and cybercriminals. Both platforms have their own in-game currency, which requires a credit card and personal information tied to the account.

Common tactics:

◾ Apps and sites may promise to pay out in-game currency in exchange for clicking on bogus ads. Spoiler: The ads contain malware that helps crooks hack into the account.

◾ Fake websites often claim to sell in-game currency. Many look real enough to fool kids and adults.

Brand bandits

Today's teens consider social media influencers a potential career path. Who wouldn't want to make money just for posting online?

Common tactics:

◾ In an influencer scam, crooks pose as real brands and reach out to teens with promises of cash or gifts.

◾ They'll send a message claiming they love the victim's account and they're an excellent match for their brand – as long as they buy a few things upfront to get started. Yeah, it’s all a con.

Safety first

It’s a scary digital world out there, and I want your whole family to navigate it safely. These tips will help keep your kids safe from scammers:

◾ Have regular conversations about online dangers. Let your kids know they can always come to you with a shady situation.

◾ Use a password manager on family smartphones and computers, and enable two-factor authentication on the apps your kids use regularly.

◾ Make sure your kids’ social media profiles are private. The more info scammers have, the better for them.

◾ Have your teen's phone set up to block unknown callers and/or send them straight to voicemail.

◾ For games with in-game currency, use a reloadable gift card instead of your credit card. Bonus: They can’t spend endlessly.

Keep your tech-know going

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Learn about all the latest technology on the Kim Komando Show, the nation's largest weekend radio talk show. Kim takes calls and dispenses advice on today's digital lifestyle, from smartphones and tablets to online privacy and data hacks. For her daily tips, free newsletters and more, visit her website.