unhackchildhood.com/topics/scams-phishing · Reviewed September 24, 2026
DO THIS FIRST
Take back some control.
- 01
Stop. Do not click again, reply, pay, or send a login code.
- 02
Contact the person or company through a phone number or app you already trust—not the message you received.
- 03
If you entered a password, change it from a trusted device and turn on multifactor authentication.
- 04
If money moved, contact the bank, card company, or payment service immediately and ask about reversal options.
- 05
Save the message, sender details, payment information, and screenshots before reporting it.
FOR STUDENTS
No shame. Just the next move.
- Common hooks include free game currency, account warnings, fake giveaways, school gossip, and “vote for me” links.
- Never share a code that arrives by text or authentication app. That code can be the key to your account.
- Tell an adult quickly if money, photos, school credentials, or personal details were involved.
FOR PARENTS
Contain first. Debrief later.
- Make “pause and ask” a family rule with no punishment for checking. Scammers win when kids are afraid to admit a click.
- Use transaction alerts and require approval for purchases on younger children’s devices.
- Practice verifying a request using a known phone number or an agreed family phrase.
TRUSTED NEXT STOPS
Official help and reporting.
FTC fraud reporting ↗Report a scam and receive recovery guidance.FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center ↗Report cyber-enabled crime and online fraud.CISA phishing guidance ↗Recognize phishing and strengthen affected accounts.
Reviewed September 24, 2026. External guidance changes; confirm time-sensitive steps on the linked official site.