What You Need to Know

Gaming platforms like Roblox and Fortnite attract millions of young users, making them prime targets for scammers looking to exploit their trust and inexperience. These scams often result in stolen accounts, unauthorized purchases, or even identity theft. Scammers may message and befriend your child, teaming up with them in game and talking to them for weeks before an attempt is made for scamming your child.

Fake Currency Generators – Scammers promise free in-game currency if players complete certain actions, like clicking on links or watching ads. These links often install malware that steals login credentials, giving scammers full access to the player’s account. Once inside, they can change passwords, make unauthorized purchases, or even sell the stolen account.
Fraudulent Websites – Some websites claim to sell in-game currency at discounted rates, tricking players into entering their account details or credit card information. These fake sites look official but are designed to steal login credentials and financial data.
Social Engineering Tactics – Scammers often pose as friendly players or “game moderators,” convincing kids to share their passwords or other personal details. They may claim to need the information to “help” the player or offer special perks in return.
Privacy Risks and Data Breaches – In the past, gaming companies have faced lawsuits for improperly handling children’s personal information. Without strong security settings, kids may unknowingly share private data with strangers through in-game chat or unmonitored interactions.

If successful, these scams can lead to stolen accounts, financial loss, exposure of sensitive information, and even identity theft.

What You Should Do

Parents can take several proactive steps to safeguard their children from online scams while allowing them to enjoy gaming responsibly.

Educate Your Kids About Scams – Discuss how scammers operate and emphasize that they should never share personal or financial information, login credentials, or passwords—even with someone who claims to be from the game’s support team. Teach them that if an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) – Adding an extra layer of security makes it harder for hackers to access gaming accounts, even if login details are compromised. Most platforms, including Roblox and Fortnite, offer 2FA options that should be turned on.
Monitor In-Game Purchases – Prevent unauthorized spending by setting up parental controls on credit cards linked to gaming accounts. Consider using prepaid gift cards instead of linking a bank account to minimize financial risk.
Adjust Privacy and Chat Settings – Many online games allow players to turn off chat features, limit interactions with strangers, and control who can send friend requests. These settings help reduce the risk of scammers engaging with your child.
Verify All Websites and Offers – Only purchase in-game currency through official game websites or app stores. If your child encounters a promotion or deal online, verify its authenticity before allowing them to proceed.
Use Strong, Unique Passwords – Encourage your child to use a different password for each game and store them in a password manager. If an account gets hacked, reset the password immediately.
Be Aware of Your Kids Gaming Sessions – While your child is gaming, step in the room and watch them, become invested. Ask them questions about the game, who they are playing with, how they know them. Avoid sounding like you are investigating them, but actually invested in their gameplay. By doing so, you’ll be able to help monitor their gaming and also potentially catch any threats.

Not sure you’re doing enough to protect your child against digital dangers?
Call our cyber parenting hotline or email us for help:
801-692-6200
cyberparentinghelp@invisus.com