In today’s digital landscape, it’s not uncommon for children to encounter online scams. As a parent, it’s important to know how to support and guide your child if they are targeted by scammers. Here’s what you can do:
If Your Child Has Sent Money to a Scammer…
Reassure Your Child: Let them know that it’s not their fault and that scammers can be very convincing.
- Cease All Contact: Advise your child to stop communicating with the scammer immediately.
- Contact Your Bank: If your child used your bank account or their own, contact the bank immediately to stop further transactions.
- Report the Scam: Use online platforms like ReportCyber to file a formal report. Encourage your child to be involved in this process for their learning.
- Inform the Platform: If the scam occurred via social media or another online service, report the scammer’s account.
If a Scammer Has Your Child’s Personal Information…
If your child’s personal details, such as name, phone number, or email, have been compromised:
- Secure Accounts: Help your child secure their online accounts, particularly financial ones, if applicable. Most major banks offer a feature to ‘lock’ cards, which prevents transactions from taking place. If your child’s bank does not offer this feature, then you may need to cancel the card by contacting their bank directly.
- Change Passwords: Assist your child in changing their passwords, making sure they are strong, secure and unique.
- Educate Your Child: Discuss the importance of online privacy and the risks of sharing personal information. The Australian Government’s eSafety site has resources for parents and carers to help kids stay safe online.
- Seek Guidance: Use resources like idcare.org to understand the implications and get advice.
- Monitor for Identity Theft: Keep an eye on any unusual activity, such as unusual transactions or login attempts from unlikely locations.
Who to Contact for Help
- Your Bank: To report fraudulent transactions.
- ReportCyber: For reporting cybercrimes and seeking advice.
- Services Australia: If government services like myGov or Medicare are involved.
- IDCARE: For guidance on identity theft and data breaches.
Supporting Your Child Emotionally
- Stay Calm: Show your child that while the situation is serious, it’s manageable.
- Open Communication: Encourage them to talk about their experience and feelings.
- Educate: Use this as an opportunity to educate your child about online safety and scam awareness.
- Empathise: Let them know that anyone can be deceived by scammers, and it’s not a reflection of their intelligence or judgment.
Remember, being the target of a scammer can be a distressing experience for a child. Your support, understanding, and guidance are key to helping them navigate through this and learn from the experience.
Financial literacy is an important skill for young people to learn – but it’s often presented in a format or style that makes it hard for them to authentically engage. That’s why Year13 has collaborated with Westpac to create FinFirsts – a free, interactive e-learning platform that guides Gen Z through getting their first job, setting up their finances, and making their first savings goal. You can you can take a look at FinFirsts here.
This content has been created by Year13 and is sponsored by Westpac.
