The Influencer Scam and the Venmo 'Oops': Why Teens are the New Phishing Targets
TL;DR
- The Myth of the "Tech-Savvy" Teen: Being able to edit a viral TikTok doesn't mean a kid understands social engineering.
- The Big Three Scams: "Brand Ambassador" DMs on Instagram, fake Robux generators, and the accidental payment "reversal" on Venmo.
- The AI Twist: Scammers are using AI voice cloning on Discord to mimic friends in distress.
- The Fix: Move from "Don't talk to strangers" to "Verify the identity and the intent."
Check out our guide on setting up Venmo parental controls Learn how to secure your child's Discord account
We like to think our kids are "digital natives" who can sniff out a scam from a mile away. After all, they’re the ones we go to when the printer won't connect or we can’t figure out how to add a song to an Instagram Story. But there’s a massive difference between being tech-literate and being scam-literate.
While we grew up with Nigerian Princes emailing us about inheritance, today’s teens are facing highly sophisticated, AI-powered social engineering. They aren't looking for "long-lost uncles"; they’re looking for "clout," "brand deals," and "free skins." Scammers know exactly which buttons to push to make a 14-year-old forget everything they learned in that one-hour internet safety assembly three years ago.
It used to be that scammers targeted the elderly because of a perceived lack of tech knowledge. Now, the pendulum has swung. Teens have three things that make them the "perfect" targets:
- Digital Wallets: Between Venmo, Cash App, and Apple Pay, teens have direct access to liquid cash without a "parental speed bump."
- The Desire for Autonomy: They want to make their own money or "grind" for items in Roblox or Fortnite without asking for your credit card.
- High Social Stakes: Their social lives happen on Snapchat and Discord. Losing access to an account isn't just a tech glitch—it’s social suicide.
Your teen gets a DM on Instagram or TikTok from a brand that looks legit. "We love your vibe! We want you to be a brand ambassador." They offer free clothes or products in exchange for a post.
The catch? "You just have to pay for shipping." Or worse, "Click this link to create your ambassador portal account." That link is a phishing site designed to steal their login credentials. Once the scammer has the login, they lock your kid out and use the account to scam their entire friend list. It’s the ultimate "Ohio" move—totally weird, totally fake, and potentially devastating.
This one is cold. A teen receives a notification that they just got $50 on Venmo or Cash App from a stranger. Seconds later, a message arrives: "OMG, so sorry! I meant to send that to my mom for her birthday. Can you please send it back?"
If your kid is a "good person" (which most of our kids are), they’ll send it back. But the original $50 was sent from a stolen credit card. When the real owner of that card reports the fraud, the bank claws back that $50 from your teen’s account. Now your kid is out $50 of their own money, and the scammer has disappeared with the "returned" cash.
If your teen spends time on Discord, they’ve probably seen this. A "friend" (whose account has already been hacked) DMs them saying, "Hey, I accidentally reported your account for illegal activity. You need to talk to this Discord Moderator on this server to fix it before you get banned."
The "Moderator" then asks for their password or a "verification code" to "prove" they own the account. Spoiler: There is no moderator. There is no report. There is only a scammer waiting to hijack the account.
Ask our chatbot about the latest Discord safety features
For younger teens and tweens, the lure of "free" currency in Roblox or Fortnite is the ultimate bait. They find a "generator" website or a YouTube video promising a "glitch" for free money.
These sites usually require the kid to "verify" their identity by downloading other apps (malware) or entering their account details. It’s not entrepreneurship; it’s a fast track to a drained bank account or a bricked phone.
This is where things get really "uncanny valley." Scammers are now using AI to clone voices. They can take a 30-second clip of your teen's friend from a YouTube video or a public Instagram story and use it to leave a voice note or even join a Discord call.
The "friend" sounds like they’re in trouble—maybe they lost their wallet or got into a car accident—and they need a quick Venmo transfer. Because it sounds like their best friend, the teen’s critical thinking goes out the window.
For Middle Schoolers (Ages 11-13)
At this age, the focus is on "The Golden Rule of the Internet": If it’s free, it’s a trap.
- Discuss why Roblox doesn't just give away money.
- Explain that "moderators" will never DM you for a password.
- Set up "Ask to Buy" features on their devices so they can't download "verification" apps without you.
For High Schoolers (Ages 14-18)
This is about financial literacy and social engineering.
- Talk about the Venmo "accident" scam. Tell them: "If a stranger sends you money, leave it there. Don't touch it. Let the app's support team handle it."
- Discuss the "influencer" lure. Remind them that real brands don't ask for shipping fees from their "ambassadors."
- Encourage the use of Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) on everything—Snapchat, Instagram, and especially their email.
If you approach this like a lecture, your teen's brain will go into "low power mode." Instead, try making it a conversation about how "smart" these scammers are getting.
Try saying: "I saw this crazy thing today about people using AI to fake voices on Discord. Have you or any of your friends seen that? It’s wild how they try to trick people into sending money."
By framing it as "us vs. the scammers" rather than "me vs. your bad habits," they’re more likely to come to you when something feels "off." If they do get scammed, don't blow a fuse. If they feel judged or "cooked," they’ll never tell you the next time it happens. Treat it as a learning expense—an expensive lesson in digital skepticism.
Our kids are growing up in a digital landscape where "seeing is no longer believing" and "hearing is no longer certain." The goal isn't to make them paranoid; it's to make them pause.
In a world of instant gratification and "one-click" everything, the most powerful tool a teen has is the ability to wait five minutes before clicking "send" or "accept." That five-minute pause is usually all it takes for the "too good to be true" reality to set in.
- Audit the Apps: Check if your teen has Venmo or Cash App and look at their privacy settings.
- Enable 2FA: Spend 10 minutes tonight making sure their primary accounts (Email, Discord, Instagram) have Two-Factor Authentication turned on.
- Create a "Safe Word": For the AI voice cloning threat, have a family (or friend-group) safe word that you use if someone is actually in trouble and needs money. If they can’t say the word, it’s a scam.
Check out our guide on the best password managers for families Learn how to talk to your teen about 'Sextortion' and social engineering