Not every monster looks scary. Some arrive as prize notifications, messages from “friends,” or emails that appear to come from a school, game, bank, or credit union. This October, we're helping families teach kids how to recognize online scams, protect their personal information, and ask for help when something doesn’t feel right.

3 Ways to Raise Scam-Smart Kids

1. Teach Kids to Stop Before They Click. Scammers create urgency with messages like “Act now!” or “You won!” Remind kids to pause and check with an adult before clicking or responding.
2. Explain What Information Is Private. Passwords, addresses, phone numbers, banking information, and login codes should never be shared online without a parent’s permission.
3. Make “Tell Me” the Family Rule. Let kids know they can always come to you if they receive a strange message or accidentally click something online.