Greg's Corner

Are Text Message Scams Targeting Children?

By Greg Collier

Text message scams are evolving, and children are now becoming unintended targets. One recent incident in Lafayette, Louisiana, highlights how scammers send random texts, often addressing the recipient by the wrong name, in hopes of starting a conversation. For example, a teenager received a message intended for ‘Rose’, a name that was unfamiliar to her. While this might seem like a simple mistake, responding with something like “Sorry, wrong number” is precisely what scammers want. Once engaged, they can continue the conversation, pretending to befriend the child by asking casual questions like their name or school.

Although these scams don’t specifically target children, the random nature of the messages means kids are just as likely to receive them. It’s crucial for parents to stay aware of who is contacting their children. In this case, the teen was able to block the number, but it serves as a reminder for parents to monitor their children’s messages and have open conversations about the dangers of engaging with unknown contacts.

Identity thieves are increasingly drawn to a child’s personal information because it is often untapped and unmonitored. Since children haven’t established credit yet, their Social Security numbers and other identifying details provide a blank slate for criminals to exploit. Scammers can use this clean credit history to open fraudulent accounts, apply for loans, or commit other forms of financial fraud, all while the child, and their parents, remain unaware for years. By the time the child becomes old enough to establish their own credit, they may discover a damaged credit history. This is why scammers, who might initially seem harmless or casual in their approach, can pose a serious risk if they gain access to personal details through seemingly innocent interactions like text messages. Parents must remain vigilant to protect their child’s identity from being compromised in these scams.

Children may not always recognize the risks, which is why it’s essential to teach them to be cautious about sharing any personal information with strangers, especially through text. Adjusting phone settings to block unknown numbers and being vigilant about their online interactions can help reduce the chances of children falling victim to these scams. While this may seem like a harmless exchange at first, the underlying goal of scammers is to extract personal or family information, and early intervention can prevent any further risks.