Gaming Scams Targeting Kids: Common Tricks + How Parents Can Protect Children (Complete Guide)
10 min read
A clean cybersecurity-themed illustration showing how parents can protect kids from gaming scams.
Introduction
Online games like Roblox, Minecraft, Fortnite, and mobile games can be fun, social, and even educational — but they also attract scammers.
Unfortunately, scammers know one thing:
Kids are more likely to trust messages, links, and “free rewards” promises.
That’s why gaming scams targeting children have become a serious cybersecurity issue. These scams can lead to:
- stolen accounts
- stolen credit cards (in-app purchases)
- malware infections
- social engineering attacks
- emotional stress (especially when accounts are lost)
This beginner-friendly guide will teach parents (and guardians) how gaming scams work, how to spot them, and what to do if your child is targeted.
✅ Key Takeaways (Quick Summary)
- The most common scams involve free Robux/V-Bucks, fake skins, and “gift” links.
- Most attacks are social engineering — not hacking.
- Kids are often targeted via game chat, Discord, YouTube comments, TikTok, and fake websites.
- Parents can reduce risk dramatically using:
- strong passwords + 2FA
- spending limits
- privacy settings
- device-level parental controls
- If an account is compromised, act fast: change passwords, remove payment methods, contact support.
Why Gaming Scams Target Kids
Scammers target kids because children are:
- more likely to trust strangers
- less aware of phishing tactics
- excited by “free rewards”
- less careful with passwords
Also, kids often play on:
- shared devices
- parents’ credit cards
- accounts without 2FA
- weak passwords reused across services
✅ The result: accounts become easy targets.
The Most Common Gaming Scams (Explained Simply)
Let’s break down the most common scam types in a way any parent can understand.
1) “Free Robux / Free V-Bucks” scams
This is the classic.
Scammers promise:
- free game currency
- gift cards
- premium skins
- rare items
Then they ask for:
- login credentials
- personal info
- “verification” steps
- clicking suspicious links
✅ Reality: there is no free currency — only phishing.
2) Fake game websites and fake login pages
These pages look real.
They copy the design of:
- Roblox
- Epic Games
- Microsoft / Xbox
- Steam
Kids enter:
- username/password
- email access
- recovery codes
✅ Then scammers steal the account and lock the user out.
3) “Trade scams” and item-stealing tricks
Common in games with trading systems.
Example:
- “I’ll give you rare items, send yours first”
- “Click this link to confirm the trade”
- “Join my private server”
✅ In most cases, kids lose items permanently.
4) Discord scams and fake “moderator messages”
Many kids use Discord while gaming.
Scammers impersonate:
- moderators
- support staff
- popular influencers
- “trusted players”
They message:
- “Your account is reported”
- “Verify your account”
- “Click here to avoid ban”
✅ This is social engineering.
5) In-app purchase scams
Sometimes scammers don’t steal accounts — they steal money.
Examples:
- fake “cheap top-up services”
- asking the kid to buy gift cards
- QR codes and payment links
✅ This can result in financial loss quickly.
Red Flags Checklist (Parents Should Memorize This)
If your child sees any of these, it’s almost certainly a scam:
✅ Major red flags
- “Free Robux/V-Bucks/skins”
- “Limited time offer” pressure
- “Click this link to claim reward”
- asking for password or login code
- “verification” that asks for personal info
- “support team” contacting in chat/Discord
- links sent by strangers
- requests for gift cards or QR payments
📌 Rule to teach kids:
Real games NEVER ask for your password in chat.
How Parents Can Protect Kids (Step-by-Step)
This is the most important section.
Step 1) Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
2FA means that even if someone knows the password, they still can’t log in easily.
✅ Enable 2FA on:
- Roblox
- Epic Games (Fortnite)
- Microsoft/Xbox
- Steam
- Google / Apple accounts
Step 2) Use strong passwords (and never reuse them)
Many accounts are stolen because passwords are reused.
✅ Strong password rules:
- minimum 12 characters
- mix of uppercase/lowercase/numbers/symbols
- unique for each account
📌 Simple advice:
Use a password manager or store passwords safely.
Step 3) Disable random friend requests and direct messages
Most scams start through chat.
✅ Settings to adjust:
- who can message
- who can invite
- who can join private servers
- who can trade
Step 4) Set spending limits (this protects your wallet)
If your child has access to:
- credit cards
- PayPal
- saved payments
That’s a risk.
✅ Protect your payments with:
- spending limits
- require password for purchases
- remove saved payment methods
Step 5) Keep devices safe (basic cybersecurity)
Even mobile devices can be infected through:
- fake “mods”
- APK downloads
- shady apps
✅ Teach kids:
- don’t install unofficial mods/apps
- avoid “free generator” apps
- only download from official stores
Parental Control Settings Quick List (Fast Setup Guide)
If you only have 10 minutes, enabling these settings can drastically reduce scam risk for kids.
✅ Click each section below and apply what fits your child’s device and gaming platform.
✅ 1) Account Security (Must-Do)
- Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) on game accounts and email
- Use a unique password (never reuse passwords)
- Turn on login alerts (email notifications for new logins)
- Review active sessions and sign out unknown devices
Why it matters: Most “hacked” accounts are stolen through reused passwords and phishing.
✅ 2) Chat & Social Settings (Most Important)
- Disable direct messages from strangers
- Limit who can add friends
- Disable unknown invites (servers/rooms)
- Restrict trading (if the game supports trading)
Why it matters: Most scams start through chat, DMs, or fake “moderator” messages.
✅ 3) Spending & Purchases (Protect Your Wallet)
- Require password for purchases
- Disable stored cards (remove saved payment methods)
- Enable spending limits or monthly budget
- Avoid third-party top-up services and unofficial sellers
Why it matters: Scammers often target kids with fake currency top-ups and gift card traps.
✅ 4) Device Protection (PC / Android / iPhone)
- Install apps only from official stores (avoid APK mods)
- Enable automatic updates (security patches)
- Use built-in parental controls (screen time + restrictions)
- Scan suspicious downloads using antivirus tools (PC/Android)
Why it matters: Fake mods and “free reward generators” can install malware on devices.
✅ 5) The Smart Family Rule (Simple but Powerful)
Teach this sentence:
✅ “If someone offers free rewards or asks you to click a link, stop and ask a parent first.”
Why it matters: A simple rule prevents most scams before they happen.
✅ Quick Reminder
⚡ Quick Reminder (3 Golden Rules)
- Never share passwords or verification codes
- Never click links sent by strangers
- Never buy gift cards for someone online
Settings by Platform (Roblox, Fortnite, Steam, Xbox)
To make this guide even more practical, here’s a quick parental control setup list by platform.
✅ Click the platform you use and apply these settings.
🎮 Roblox Parental Controls (Quick Setup)
- Enable Account PIN so kids can’t change settings
- Restrict chat features (messages / who can chat)
- Limit who can join games and who can invite
- Turn on spending restrictions (or require parent approval)
- Enable email + 2FA for account protection
Pro tip: Teach kids: “No free Robux links. Ever.”
🕹️ Fortnite / Epic Games (Quick Setup)
- Enable 2FA on the Epic Games account (very important)
- Set up parental controls for purchases and chat
- Disable voice chat or restrict it to friends only
- Require PIN for purchases (prevents surprise spending)
- Limit friend requests and unknown invites
Common scam: fake V-Bucks giveaways and phishing “Epic login” pages.
💻 Steam (Family View + Account Protection)
- Enable Steam Guard (2FA) to prevent account theft
- Use Family View to restrict access (store, chat, library)
- Require a PIN for purchases and settings changes
- Limit community features (scams often happen via messages)
- Disable suspicious trading if your child uses item trading
Common scam: fake “Steam support” messages and item trade scams.
🎧 Xbox / Microsoft Account (Child Safety Settings)
- Create a child account linked to a parent Microsoft account
- Use Microsoft Family Safety for time limits and restrictions
- Restrict communication (chat / voice / messages)
- Block purchases or require approval
- Set age filters for games and content
Common scam: fake Xbox gift card offers and “account verification” phishing.
Tip: If your child uses Discord, make sure to disable DMs from strangers. Discord scams are one of the most common ways kids get tricked.
What To Do If Your Child Fell for a Scam
Don’t panic — act quickly.
✅ Immediate action plan (in order)
- Change passwords immediately
- Enable 2FA
- Remove unknown devices/sessions
- Remove payment methods
- Check email for “password reset” messages
- Contact game support
- Run antivirus/malware scan (PC/Android)
📌 Important:
The faster you act, the higher the chance of recovering the account.
Should Kids Use Discord While Gaming?
Discord itself isn’t “bad”, but it increases risk because:
- scammers impersonate moderators
- kids join public servers
- DMs are easy to abuse
✅ Safer rules:
- disable DMs from strangers
- only join trusted servers
- never click links in messages
- never share email/password/2FA codes
Parents Often Ask…
👨👩👧👦 How do I know if my child is being targeted by a scam?
If your child receives messages offering free Robux/V-bucks, pressure to click links, “account verification” requests, or strangers asking for codes/passwords, it’s very likely a scam attempt.
🔐 What’s the #1 setting that prevents most account theft?
Enabling Two-Factor Authentication (2FA). Even if a password leaks through phishing, scammers usually can’t log in without the second verification step.
💳 Can scammers really spend money through my child’s account?
Yes. If a payment method is saved, scammers may purchase in-game items or gift cards. Remove saved cards and require a password/PIN for all purchases.
🧠 Should I ban online games completely?
Not necessarily. A better approach is to combine privacy settings, spending limits, and simple rules like “never click links for free rewards” and “always ask a parent first”.
📱 Are mobile game scams different from console/PC scams?
Mobile scams often involve fake “mods”, suspicious apps, APK downloads, and phishing pages opened through chat or social platforms. Keeping devices updated and limiting app installs helps a lot.
FAQ
Quick answers to common questions about gaming scams and kids online safety.
❓ What are the most common gaming scams targeting kids?
The most common scams include free Robux/V-Bucks offers, fake login pages, Discord impersonation scams, and phishing links sent through chat.
❓ How do scammers steal Roblox or Fortnite accounts?
Most account theft happens through phishing: scammers trick kids into entering passwords on fake websites or sharing verification codes.
❓ What should I do if my child clicked a suspicious link?
Change the password immediately, enable 2FA, remove unknown sessions, and run a malware scan if it happened on a PC or Android device.
❓ Is Discord safe for kids?
Discord can be used safely with strict settings, but scammers often target kids through DMs. Disable DMs from strangers and avoid public servers.
❓ How can parents prevent in-app purchase scams?
Remove saved payment methods, enable purchase approval, set spending limits, and teach kids never to buy gift cards for strangers.
Conclusion
Gaming is fun — but today, scams are part of the online world.
The good news is:
✅ Most gaming scams can be blocked with basic cybersecurity habits:
- 2FA
- privacy settings
- spending controls
- education
If parents implement simple protection and teach kids “never trust free rewards links”, the risk drops dramatically.
