Tips to Protect Your Kids from Online Gaming Scams: Internet Scambusters #1,164
Parents, gamers, and young adults should all know about the risks of scammers on gaming platforms and how they can reduce these dangers.
Online Gaming Scams Exploit Your Children – What You Need to Know to Protect Your Kids (And You!)
Scammers often target players on online gaming platforms, with the youngest being the most vulnerable. These platforms let users chat with each other through text, voice, and video without verifying identities, making it easy for predators to pretend to be friends or fellow players to gain children's trust.
Because there is often little oversight and because gaming communities can be very engaging, young players can be more easily manipulated and deceived.
Scammers usually make contact in the following ways:
- Direct Messaging – Chat platforms let scammers send private messages to players who don't suspect anything.
- Friend Requests – Many scammers send friend requests to kids, posing as fellow gamers or teammates.
- Personal Invitations – Scammers may invite kids to play private matches or games to create a connection in a safe and friendly environment.
Ways Scammers Take Advantage of Kids on Online Gaming Platforms
Once contact is made, scammers use various tactics to achieve their goals:
- Phishing Scams – Scammers may share fake links to gather sensitive information like login credentials or credit card details. They often disguise these links as “in-game offers” or "free rewards.”
- Virtual Currency Fraud – Some scammers ask for virtual currency or in-game items in exchange for promises of rewards or cheats that never come true.
- Extortion – Scammers may use personal information they have obtained to threaten. They might threaten to reveal this information unless you pay them a ransom.
- Impersonation – Scammers might pretend to be administrators or support staff and ask you for sensitive information by saying they need it to fix account problems.
Once connected with a young person, scammers can commit the following crimes:
- Identity Theft – Using stolen personal information to create fake accounts or engage in unlawful activities.
- Financial Fraud – Gaining access to bank accounts or convincing children to provide their parents’ financial details.
- Grooming – Scammers may use gaming platforms to gain the trust of kids for harmful purposes.
- Online Harassment – Scammers may use private information to blackmail or bully young gamers.
Young Gamers Are Frequently the Target of Scammers
While scammers can target anyone, young people often fall victim due to their trusting nature and lack of experience with online risks. Other common targets include:
- Young gamers are unfamiliar with scams.
- People are actively trading virtual items.
- Players sharing personal details in forums or chats.
To put things into perspective, below is an example of a scammer taking advantage of a young gamer who is unaware that the opposing player is a scammer.
- A scammer joins a gaming group and starts to build a relationship with other players. The scammer offers rare virtual items for a small “processing fee.” The young player is tempted by this deal and sends money, only to find out it was a scam. During this process, they share their own personal information as well as their parents' financial information. In addition to losing money, their gaming account gets hacked, which can lead to more crimes and identity theft.
What Online Gaming Victims Can Do If They’ve Been Scammed
If you or your child fall victim to an online gaming scam, follow these steps:
- Report the Scammer – Notify the platform’s support team immediately.
- Freeze Accounts – If financial data was shared, contact your bank or credit card provider to secure your finances.
- Change Passwords – Update passwords for all online accounts linked to the gaming platform.
- Document Evidence – Take screenshots of the scammer's messages and transactions to provide proof during reporting.
- Seek Support – Inform law enforcement if personal information has been stolen or if you suspect illegal activity.
Other Online Gaming Platform Dangers to Watch For
While scams are the most common threat, kids can encounter other dangers:
- Online Predators – Individuals may use gaming platforms to groom kids and exploit them emotionally or financially.
- Bullying and Harassment – Cyberbullies may use in-game chat features to target younger players with harmful behavior.
- Exposure to Unsuitable Content – Scammers and other bad actors may share explicit or inappropriate material, exposing children to harmful content.
Once scammers establish contact, the consequences can escalate quickly. These criminals may engage in:
- Theft of Financial Information – Using scams to steal credit card numbers or payment credentials to commit fraud.
- Identity Theft – Using someone's personal information to open accounts or commit crimes in their name.
- Exploitation – Using information or images shared by young people for blackmail or illegal activities.
- Hacking Accounts – People access gaming accounts to steal valuable in-game items. They often resell these items for profit.
Tips for Parents to Protect Their Kids From Online Predators
Parents can play a crucial role in safeguarding children from online gaming platform threats. Here's what you can do:
- Educate Your Kids – Teach them about online scams and the importance of not sharing personal information.
- Monitor Activity – Keep an eye on the games your children play and their interactions on these platforms.
- Enable Privacy Settings – Use parental controls and restrict who can contact your child through the platform.
- Promote Openness – Encourage your child to talk to you if something seems suspicious or makes them uncomfortable. NEVER shame or guilt them for what has happened.
- Set Boundaries – Limit the amount of time spent on games and make sure the games are suitable for their age.
What Kids Need to Know About Online Gaming Platform Predators
It’s essential to educate children and young adults about recognizing and avoiding risky behavior. Scammers are very good at what they do, and a child can easily fall into their trap. Educate your children with the following:
- Don’t Share Personal Details – Do not share your full name, address, or financial information.
- Be Skeptical of Too-Good-to-Be-True Deals – Offers like “free rewards” often lead to scams.
- Avoid Chatting with Strangers – Stick to playing with trusted friends or family members.
- Report Suspicious Behavior – If someone makes you feel uncomfortable, tell your parents or report it to the platform's moderators.
Resources for Victims of Online Gaming Platform Scams
Many organizations and resources can help victims of online scams.
- Gaming Platform Support – Most major platforms have teams dedicated to addressing scams.
- Credit Monitoring Services – Services like Experian or Equifax can oversee potential identity theft issues.
- Counseling Services – Psychological support can help kids recover from emotional distress caused by such incidents.
Check out this video from a Spokane, Washington, news station for a peek into how a predator targets a 9-year-old boy: Predatory Exploits Young Boy Using Video Game.
If your child has been exploited, contact the National Center for Missing or Exploited Children. The CyberTipline is another place to report child sexual exploitation:
Conclusion
Scammers who target children and young people on gaming platforms are a serious problem that often goes unnoticed. They use tactics like phishing, impersonation, and in-game scams to take advantage of young and inexperienced players.
To protect against these scams, it’s important for parents, gamers, and young adults to know how they work and take action. Teach children about online safety. Explain that they should not share personal information or talk to strangers. Help them spot warning signs, such as offers that seem “too-good-to-be-true” or messages from unknown users. This knowledge will enable young gamers to navigate online spaces more safely.
Players and parents should also stay alert and report any suspicious behavior. This can be done using the game platform’s reporting tools or by contacting local authorities. By promoting awareness and vigilance, we can work together to fight these scams and make gaming platforms enjoyable and safe for everyone.
Remember, Stay Safe and Stay Informed.