Cifas Homepage
NewsroomCareersContact Us

Stay One Step Ahead

Learn simple ways to spot scams and keep yourself safe online. Start with us to make smarter, safer choices

Advice For Young People

Advice for Young People

Welcome to our advice page for young people. This page provides a resource for you to find out more information about fraud and scams. Get the right help if you are a victim or if you feel you have become involved in fraud.

Click on the relevant tab below to find the information that is right for you.

How can I protect myself against fraud?

Firstly - what is fraud? Fraud is wrongful or criminal deception intended to result in financial or personal gain.
There are many ways to protect yourself against fraud, including:

DO NOT

allow your bank account to be shared, even in return for payment, including old accounts that you no longer use

DON'T SHARE

PIN numbers and passwords

DON'T

open bank accounts for other people to use, regardless of whether you know the person asking

If something sounds

too good to be true,

take time to think about it and ask a trusted adult for their advice

TAKE A STEP BACK

and think before buying items online and consider using trusted forms of payment

DON’T GIVE OUT YOUR

personal information even to people you know if there is a not a valid reason for them to have it

TAKE TIME

to consider whether a link or an attachment could be suspicious before opening.

Ensure that passwords are strong and don’t share your passwords with others.

THINK ABOUT

what you are sharing online particularly on social media and open profiles

How would I be approached to commit fraud?

Criminals approach young people via social media and offer them money and gifts in exchange for carrying out fraudulent activity. They may not ask you to undertake fraudulent activity straight away though, they may work to gain your trust before asking you to allow your bank account to be used by them or opening a financial product or service to be used by somebody else. It can be tempting to get involved when money and gifts are being offered however you shouldn’t as fraud is an illegal activity.

Fraudsters often target vulnerable groups of people who are likely to be in need of money, including migrant workers, university students or the unemployed.

People may think it is an easy and quick way to make money and even if they know it is wrong, they don’t care about the consequences or believe they won’t get caught.

However, lots of young adults are not aware of this problem and so are likely to be too trusting and naïve if they are targeted by fraudsters.

Fraudsters typically try to befriend their target (often on social media) after finding out information about them from their own profile, making it seem as if they have lots in common, e.g. same music taste, support the same sports team etc. This makes people more likely to be trusting and willing to agree to help out.

Fraudsters use specific pressure techniques to make the ‘offer’ hard to resist, this usually includes offering (large) sums of money for a small amount of ‘work’ and putting a time pressure on the person to agree.

These techniques can progress to blackmail and threatening or intimidating behaviour if the person tries to refuse or back out of the agreement.

What happens if I commit fraud?

Being involved in fraudulent activity is illegal and carries consequences including being filed to the Cifas National Fraud Database for up to 6 years and depending on the severity of the fraud the potential to be reported to the Police.

If you are filed to the Cifas National Fraud Database then you may have difficulty bank accounts and other financial services such as credit cards, loans, mortgages and finance as well as insurance policies. It can also affect your employment opportunities.

Police investigation

There may be a police investigation and you may get a criminal record and be sent to prison for up to 10 years

Pay back money

You will have to pay back the money that was gained through fraud

Online Seller account shut down

Your online sellers account would be shut down

Not able to take out a loan

You will not be able to take out a mobile phone contract, loan or credit card from a bank and may struggle to get a mortgage for a house.

Banks keep your details

Banks, the police and anti-fraud agencies keep your details

Difficult to get a job

You may find it difficult to get a job

How do I start a conversation with an adult?

If you have been approached to be involved in fraudulent activity or have been a victim of fraud, you may want to speak to a trusted adult to seek their advice or support. Sometimes it can be hard to know how to reach out for help or how to start that conversation.

Childline have set out some information and advice on how to ask an adult for help. Click below to read their advice.

HOW TO ASK AN ADULT FOR HELP
How do I start a conversation with an adult?

What support is there if I'm a victim of fraud?

There are lots of places you can go to for support - we have outlined some of them below.

How would I be approached to commit fraud?

If you have been the victim of fraud and a trusted adult wishes to report it, then they can do so via Action Fraud.

Helpful Resources and wellbeing support.

If you are a trusted adult of a young person who has been the victim of fraud and you want further information on how to support them then you can find support via the NSPCC website or via Stem4 website.

If you have been the victim of fraud and want to talk to somebody about how you are feeling then you can contact:

Childline Logo

Childline offer a free, private and confidential service where you can talk about anything.

VISIT CHILDLINE
The Mix Logo

The Mix who are the UK’s leading support service to young people and are there to support you with any challenges you are facing.

VISIT THE MIX
Stem 4 Logo

Stem4 is a charity that promotes positive mental health in teenagers and those who support them.

VISIT STEM4

Helpful Resources and Support

It may feel tempting to commit fraud or other financial crime when money is tight. Fraud is illegal and can carry heavy consequences so instead, look into the resources below for support and guidance.

CHILDLINE

Childline who offer a free, private and confidential service where you can talk about anything. Childline are there for you online, on the phone, anytime.

VISIT CHILDLINE

THE MIX

The Mix who are the UK’s leading support service to young people and are there to support you with any challenges you are facing. The Mix can offer support and guidance on financial support which may be available to you and help you navigate housing issues as well as provide details on emergency financial support.

VISIT THE MIX

PARENTZONE

Parentzone understand that every family needs support sometimes so have identified services and organisations who can offer free expert support and advice to families. Featured guide: Help and support.

VISIT PARENTZONE

STEM4

Stem4 is a charity that promotes positive mental health in teenagers and those who support them.

VISIT STEM4

THE TRUSSELL TRUST

The Trussell Trust support a nationwide network of food banks and can help provide emergency food to people in crisis.

VISIT THE TRUSSELL TRUST

ANTI FRAUD LESSON PLAN

Cifas Anti-Fraud Lesson Plan - Fraud Resources for Teachers.

VISIT LESSON PLAN

GAMCARE

GamCare’s Young People’s Service can support anyone aged 18 and under across the UK (including Northern Ireland) who is either ‘at risk’ of or experiencing harm because of gambling.

VISIT GAMCARE

NSPCC

If you are a trusted adult of a young person who is at risk of or experiencing harm because of gambling then you can find support via the NSPCC website.

VISIT NSPCC