Why do children get scam texts at all?
Because scammers do not know, or care, who owns the number. Scam texts go out to huge lists of numbers at once, and a child's first phone number ends up on those lists the same way an adult's does. A ten-year-old with a new phone is, to the sender, just another number that might tap.
Children are also more likely to believe a message that sounds official, and less likely to know what a real delivery company or bank actually sends.
Which scam texts do children get most?
Four kinds turn up again and again.
- The missed delivery. "Your parcel could not be delivered. Reschedule here." Children who have just ordered something, or whose family has, are the perfect audience.
- The prize. "Congratulations, you have won a gift card" or free in-game currency. The link asks for a name, an address or a login.
- The account warning. "Your account will be closed today. Verify now." It can pretend to be a bank, a game, or a streaming app.
- The new number. "Hi, it's me, I've lost my phone, this is my new number." Sometimes it pretends to be a parent. It always gets round to asking for something.
What are the signs of a scam text?
Spelling mistakes used to be the giveaway. They are not any more: many scam texts are now written cleanly, and often with AI. Teach these signs instead:
- A link you did not ask for. Real companies rarely need you to tap a link in a text to sort something out.
- A rush. Today, within the hour, before your account closes. A deadline is there to stop you thinking.
- A request for something private: a password, a code, an address, a payment.
- It does not quite fit. You did not order anything. You never entered a competition. Mum's number is already in your phone.
In our book The Message That Wasn't True, Maya's friend Dev nearly pays for a prize that does not exist because the message has a countdown clock on it. The clock was painted on. The rush was the trick.
How do you report a scam text?
In the UK, forward the text to 7726, which spells SPAM on a phone keypad. Most phone providers are part of the scheme, and it works: according to the National Cyber Security Centre, reports to 7726 have led to scams being removed across 93.3k web addresses as of September 2026. Then delete the text.
In the US, report it to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, and use your phone's built-in option to report junk.
What should my child do if they tapped the link?
Tell you, straight away, and know they will not be in trouble. Then close the page, do not type anything in, and if they entered a password, change it from another device. Our step-by-step guide covers exactly what to do if your child clicks a scam link in a text.
Try this at home or in class
Make a "scam or not?" pile from real texts on your own phone, with any personal details covered. Read them out and let your child vote on each one, giving a reason. Our free Scam and Safety Cards do the same job in a classroom.
Frequently asked questions
What should my child do if they get a scam text?
Not reply and not tap the link. Show you, then forward it to 7726 (it spells SPAM on a keypad) and delete it. In the US, you can also report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
What happens when you forward a text to 7726?
In the UK, most phone providers take part in the 7726 scheme, and the reports have helped take down scams across 93.3k web addresses as of September 2026.
What if my child has already clicked the link?
Do not panic. Close the page, do not enter anything, and if they typed a password, change it from a different device straight away. Our guide on what to do if your child clicks a scam link walks through every step.
Are spelling mistakes still a good sign of a scam?
Not any more. Many scam texts are now written cleanly, often with AI. The better signs are a link you did not ask for, a deadline and a request to act now.