Date published: 22 May 2026
One in five adults fell victim to scammers last year in the UK with more than £9.4 billion being stolen from customers.
Now, according to fraud prevention service Cifas, children are increasingly being targeted – often by shopping scams and fake job ads.
One in five adults fell victim to scammers last year in the UK with more than £9.4 billion being stolen from customers. Now, according to fraud prevention service Cifas, children are increasingly being targeted – often by shopping scams and fake job ads.
There can be warning signs. Be wary of a text or email containing a time limited offer, encouraging you to respond quickly. Emails and websites might be designed to look like a brand you know but any spelling or grammar mistakes should be a red flag. Think carefully before sharing any personal information or transferring money.
Mersey Care’s Mental Health Support Team in schools is supporting young people and their parents to stay safe online. They offer webinars and workbooks to help parents teach their children how to make good decisions.
Louise Hughes, Whole School Approach and Participation Lead at Mersey Care, says, “We’d encourage families to make informed decisions about how to stay safe online as well as using safety settings. Have a family chat to agree which apps and websites are appropriate and teach young people it’s okay to say ‘no’ if they’re asked to share anything personal or send money. Make sure they know how to block and report anyone who has made them feel unsafe.
“Above all, let them know they can come to you if anything has worried them and that you won’t overreact.”
If you suspect a scam, don’t reply, click on any links, call any phone numbers or make any payments. Contact the organisation directly using an email address or phone number you have checked is correct. Report potential scams by forwarding suspicious emails to report