How to avoid getting scammed online — and what to do if it happens

It's a regular Tuesday morning, and you get an email that looks exactly like something your bank would send you. The email is urging you to “verify your account.” But, upon closer inspection, you realize the email is not actually not from your bank. It’s a scam, and just one wrong click could put your money and personal info at risk. 

Knowing how to avoid getting scammed online is critical, especially for kids and teens who spend so much time on social media, gaming, and online shopping apps. Let's explore some common online scams, how to spot red flags, and what to do if you (or your teen) gets scammed.

6 common online scams to watch out for

The first step in avoiding getting scammed online is knowing what a scam looks like. Here are six very common scams to be aware of the next time you’re online.

1. Phishing emails and texts

Phishing scammers have gotten very creative in their attempt to stay hidden and often pop up when you least expect them, like with urgent emails or even text messages. They pretend to be banks, subscription services, platforms you use daily, or even school administrators, asking for login details or personal information.

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2. Charity scams

Charity scams are especially common after high-profile disasters. Scammers target people experiencing stressful situations, like a natural disaster where they live. These scams can come in many forms, including email, social media, crowdfunding platforms, and cold calls, with the goal of getting people to donate to a fake charity.

3. Social media and influencer scams

You’ve probably seen scams pop up on social media; it seems like they’re everywhere. From fake giveaways to bogus “investment” opportunities, scammers often use impersonator accounts to DM people for money. (Of course, there are legit influencers out there, like these personal finance influencers!)

4. “Your account is locked” scams

Have you experienced those pop-ups or even phone calls claiming to be from Apple, Microsoft, or Netflix saying your account is locked or otherwise at risk? These scams start by telling you there is a problem with your account, and then they ask for your password or credit card information.

5. Free stuff scams

Everyone loves getting free stuff — and tons of it can be found online. But be wary as not all free stuff listings are legit. Scammers lure freebie-seeking people in with promises of amazing free stuff, only to steal their personal information or even their money. These tips on how to get free stuff online will help you stay safe.

6. Job offer scams

Job offer scammers might promise you a job, a ton of money, or access to work you can do at home. They post fake ads, and once you apply, they try to convince you to give them money (disguised as a fee that will give you access to the job). They may also try to get your personal information.

How to spot an online scam 

There are so many scams online, but a lot of them use the same tactics to pull you in. Here are some warning signs that the message or offer you’re considering is likely fake.

It’s too good to be true

You know that saying, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is?” Well, that applies to online scams. For example, that ad you saw for designer brands at 90% off? If it feels like an unbelievable deal or opportunity, it’s probably a scam. Many fake stores take your money but never deliver the product.

Suspicious emails with weird grammar

Scammers often use email addresses and URLs with extra characters or unfamiliar domain names to trick users. For example, an email coming from amazon-secure-login.com instead of amazon.com is likely a scam. Scam emails and messages may also have weird grammar, typos, or logos that look a little “off.” Before you click, check out these tips on how to tell if a link is safe.

Pressure to act fast

Phrases like “Your account will be locked in 24 hours!” or “Limited-time offer, claim now!” should instantly trigger your scam radar. Scammers thrive on urgency and use time-based, emergency-focused messaging to get you to act fast. They want you to act on fear so you don’t have time to consider if the offer is real or not.

Requests for personal information

Some scammers just flat-out ask for your account information, credit card number, or other personal information. However, legitimate companies never ask for passwords, Social Security numbers, or payment info over email or text. So, if you get that request, take a closer look. And if you’re unsure, you can always contact the company the message appeared to come from to check.

What to do if you’ve been scammed 

Oh, no — you clicked the link, and now you wish you could reverse time by 30 seconds. Here is what you can do if you think you’ve been scammed:

• Don’t panic, but act fast. The sooner you react, the better your chances of stopping the scammer before they can do anything with the stolen data.

• Change your passwords immediately. If you entered your login info on a fake site or responded to a message with personal info, change your passwords immediately, especially for banking or email accounts.

• Contact your bank or credit card company. It’s essential to report unauthorized transactions ASAP. Many banks will refund fraudulent charges if you act quickly.

• Watch your accounts for fraudulent activity. Keep an eye on emails, bank statements, and alerts for unusual activity.

• Report the scam. File a report with the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or notify the platform (social media, gaming company, or bank).

• Warn others. If a scam targeted you, it’s probably targeting others, too. Let friends and family know so they don’t fall for it.

With Greenlight Max and Infinity plans, you can have peace of mind while purchasing items with your Greenlight card due to purchase and identity theft protections. However, if you suspect fraudulent activity on your Greenlight card, contact Customer Service immediately. 

Now, you know what red flags to watch out for to avoid getting scammed online — and what to do if you fall for a scammer’s trick. For even more tips on how to keep your family safe online, check out this Internet safety guide.

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