{"id":125006,"date":"2021-07-26T05:22:03","date_gmt":"2021-07-26T12:22:03","guid":{"rendered":"\/blogs\/?p=125006"},"modified":"2025-04-29T00:33:37","modified_gmt":"2025-04-29T07:33:37","slug":"9-tips-to-help-kids-avoid-popular-app-scams","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/blogs\/family-safety\/9-tips-to-help-kids-avoid-popular-app-scams\/","title":{"rendered":"9 Tips to Help Kids Avoid Popular App Scams"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a0<\/span>There\u2019s a\u00a0lot of\u00a0conversation going on right now\u00a0around digital apps; only\u00a0it\u2019s not about\u00a0TikTok\u00a0or Twitch.\u00a0Instead, it\u2019s about the spike in the number of app scams\u00a0taking place every day\u2014many of them\u00a0impacting\u00a0younger consumers.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In a recent\u00a0<\/span>report from<\/span>\u00a0The Washington Post<\/span><\/i><\/a>, nearly two percent of\u00a0the\u00a0apps\u00a0downloaded from the Apple\u00a0store in a single day\u00a0were scams\u00a0costing\u00a0consumers\u00a0an estimated\u00a0$48 million.\u00a0A similar\u00a0report this week in\u00a0<\/span>Tech Republic<\/span><\/a>\u00a0estimates\u00a0more than 170 Android apps, including 25 on Google Play, have attempted to scam people by offering\u00a0cryptomining\u00a0services for a fee but then failing to deliver.\u00a0Scam reports can also be attributed to\u00a0<\/span>side-loaded apps<\/span><\/a>, which are apps installed from unofficial sources online.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While the scam structures\u00a0vary,\u00a0the most popular ones\u00a0pose as legitimate brands such as Amazon or Samsung,\u00a0persuading users to download apps they don\u2019t need. Other scams\u00a0use misleading tactics,\u00a0manipulate ratings and reviews, and trick people into\u00a0paying for something accidentally.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Teens targeted <\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Scams that target teens\u00a0abound online\u00a0because\u00a0hackers\u00a0assume\u00a0younger consumers\u00a0are more\u00a0impulsive and\u00a0casual about\u00a0their\u00a0online\u00a0privacy.\u00a0According\u00a0to the\u00a0<\/span>Better Business Bureau<\/span><\/a>,\u00a0scams\u00a0targeting teens\u00a0include\u00a0<\/span>social media scams<\/span><\/a>\u00a0used\u00a0to collect personal info\u00a0for identity theft. Others include\u00a0bogus\u00a0auctions for luxury goods, scholarships and job offer\u00a0scams,\u00a0and\u00a0promises of free\u00a0items such as cell phones.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dating and Security Apps<\/span><\/b><\/h2>\n

Some\u00a0of the most popular scams\u00a0can be found\u00a0in\u00a0fraudulent\u00a0dating apps, according to the report.\u00a0The\u00a0Federal Trade Commission\u00a0stated\u00a0that\u00a0consumers reported a record $304 million lost to romance scams in 2020,\u00a0a number that has spiked since the pandemic.\u00a0While some\u00a0scams look like\u00a0legit dating apps, others surface in\u00a0hangout apps such as Clubhouse,\u00a0Google Hangouts, or seemingly harmless apps like\u00a0<\/span>Words with Friends<\/span><\/a>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

App scams\u00a0have been discovered\u00a0embedded in\u00a0spying and internet security apps. Ironically,\u00a0several of those have been\u00a0in\u00a0alleged\u00a0VPN\u00a0(Virtual Private Network)\u00a0apps that promised\u00a0privacy\u00a0but instead collected\u00a0sensitive user data.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Cash and Gaming Apps<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Consumers,\u00a0especially kids,\u00a0can be\u00a0scammed through peer-to-peer cash apps,\u00a0such as Venmo or\u00a0Zelle.\u00a0Because cash apps require users\u00a0to link to a personal bank account directly, scammers can easily sell you goods or\u00a0befriend you\u00a0to send money\u00a0only to\u00a0delete their accounts and disappear.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Likewise, downloadable\u00a0gaming apps\u00a0can\u00a0contain\u00a0scams that offer\u00a0free in-game currency.\u00a0By clicking on a link and\u00a0entering\u00a0a\u00a0username, password,\u00a0gamers are promised free currency\u2014only it\u00a0never shows up\u00a0in their account.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While the debate continues over\u00a0how to improve\u00a0both Apple and Google Play\u2019s\u00a0app security standards,\u00a0for now,\u00a0anyone downloading an app is at risk to some degree.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

So how can you be sure\u00a0your family\u2019s apps are\u00a0safe to use? While it\u2019s getting harder to discern, there are\u00a0some key steps you can take to\u00a0reduce your risk.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

9 Tips for Avoiding an App Scams<\/span><\/b><\/h2>\n
    \n
  1. Understand the risk.<\/span><\/b> Making the threat real and believing\u00a0a scam can\u00a0happen\u00a0to you is a significant step in\u00a0safeguarding your\u00a0family.\u00a0This includes taking the time to discuss\u00a0current digital\u00a0threats\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>leveling up mobile security<\/span><\/a>\u00a0wherever possible.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Do your homework.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0Read app reviews. If an app is sketchy\u00a0in any way, users will be vocal in the\u00a0app\u00a0review section. In addition, do an online\u00a0search\u00a0of the app\u00a0to\u00a0see what consumers and other watchdog agencies such as the BBB\u00a0say about the app.\u00a0Check\u202f<\/span>BBB Scam Tracker<\/span><\/a>\u202fto see if others have been duped.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Safeguard personal data.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0Remind kids not to share\u00a0their\u00a0email, address, or other\u00a0information.\u00a0Pop-ups,\u00a0trendy\u00a0quizzes, and\u00a0links\u00a0websites can be ruses designed to steal bits and pieces of personal info that can be used as the basis of an attack.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Maximize security.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0When using cash apps,\u00a0turn on additional security features such as multi-factor authentication, creating a PIN, or using fingerprint recognition.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  5. Pay attention to permissions.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0Apps often ask for access to certain features\u00a0on\u00a0your\u00a0device,\u00a0such as the camera, phone,\u00a0or your\u00a0contacts. Sometimes the ask is legit; other\u00a0times, it\u2019s just a ruse to gain access to your personal information.\u00a0Stop to examine the request and why\u00a0the information is needed.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  6. Subscribe to a mobile antivirus program.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0Just like computers,\u00a0<\/span>mobile devices can be infected<\/span><\/a>\u00a0with viruses and malware. Protect mobile devices by subscribing to a mobile antivirus product, such as\u202f<\/span>McAfee Mobile Security<\/span><\/a>, which includes\u202fsafe browsing, scanning for malicious\u202fapps, and locating your device if it is lost or stolen.\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  7. Only connect with\u00a0people you know.<\/span><\/b>\u202fWhen\u00a0<\/span>using cash\u202fapps<\/span><\/a>, only exchange money with people you know. Unlike an insured bank, P2P\u202fapps\u202fdo not refund the money you\u2019ve paid out accidentally or in a scam scenario\u00a0and\u202fhold users 100% responsible for transfers.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  8. Slow down and verify details\u00a0of a\u00a0transfer.<\/span><\/b>\u202fThere could be dozens of name variations to choose from in a\u00a0cash\u00a0app\u2019s directory,\u00a0so be sure to\u00a0select\u00a0the correct recipient. Also,\u00a0verify with your bank that each P2P transaction registers.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  9. Use a VPN.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0When using cash apps,\u00a0or downloading any apps,\u00a0avoid public Wi-Fi transfers.\u202fPublic Wi-Fi is susceptible to hackers trying to access valuable personal information. If you must use public Wi-Fi, consider using a\u00a0<\/span>verified and trusted<\/span><\/i>\u202f<\/span>Virtual Private Network (VPN).<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    No app is 100 percent safe. All have security loopholes and user behavior\u00a0can\u00a0make them vulnerable to a wide range of scams. However, by\u00a0staying\u00a0aware, using the right tools, and being\u00a0wise\u00a0with your clicks, your family can enjoy the fun of digital\u00a0life\u00a0without the fallout.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    \u00a0There\u2019s a\u00a0lot of\u00a0conversation going on right now\u00a0around digital apps; only\u00a0it\u2019s not about\u00a0TikTok\u00a0or Twitch.\u00a0Instead, it\u2019s about the spike in the number…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":642,"featured_media":125990,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[10670,12],"tags":[10415,10418,10421],"coauthors":[3359],"class_list":["post-125006","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tips-tricks","category-family-safety","tag-app-scam","tag-cash-app-scam","tag-dating-app-scam"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n9 Tips to Help Kids Avoid Popular App Scams | McAfee Blog 9 Tips to Help Kids Avoid Popular App Scams<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"\u00a0There\u2019s a\u00a0lot of\u00a0conversation going on right now\u00a0around digital apps; only\u00a0it\u2019s not about\u00a0TikTok\u00a0or Twitch.\u00a0Instead, it\u2019s about the spike in the number New and sophisticated app scams are on the rise. 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