🎯 What you will learn
- By the end of this lesson you'll be able to spot a fake online shop.
- You'll recognise scam offers and the psychological tricks used to make you buy.
- You'll know which ways of paying are the safest.
- You'll understand why card details, CVV numbers and codes must never be shared.
- You'll know how to protect yourself on online marketplaces and why you should ask your parents first.
Rule number one: ask an adult
If you're under 18, every online purchase – whether it's a game, a T-shirt or a subscription – should be made with a parent's knowledge and permission. This isn't just a family rule:
- Many shops and platforms require buyers to be adults.
- The card usually belongs to your parents, and they're responsible for the payments.
- An adult with more experience can spot a scam more easily.
Asking “Can I buy this?” is nothing to be embarrassed about – it's the smartest way to avoid losing money.
How to spot a fake shop
Fake shops are often advertised on Instagram, TikTok or Facebook and can look very professional. Check for these signs:
- Prices that are far too low: original trainers that cost €150 going for €29, or the latest phone at half price.
- A strange website address: a brand name combined with words like -outlet, -sale or -shop24, or an unusual domain.
- No contact details: no physical address, phone number or business registration number – or just a contact form.
- A returns policy that's missing or unclear.
- Only positive reviews on the website itself, but negative comments when you search for the shop's name online.
- A recently created website with badly translated or copied text.
- It only accepts bank transfers, crypto or gift cards as payment.
Sales tricks that rush you
Real shops – and fake ones even more so – use psychology to get you to buy quickly:
- Countdown timers: “Offer ends in 09:59!”
- Fake scarcity: “Only 2 left in stock!”
- Social pressure: “47 people are looking at this product right now.”
- Influencers promoting products without making it clear that they've been paid.
- Fake “wins”: “Congratulations! You've won an iPhone – just pay €2 for delivery.”
When you feel rushed, stop. A good deal will still be a good deal tomorrow, once you've asked a parent and checked out the shop.
Safe payments and details you never share
| Payment method | Security |
|---|---|
| Credit or debit card on a trustworthy website, confirmed in your bank's app (3-D Secure) | Good – the bank can help you dispute a payment that went wrong. |
| Virtual or prepaid card with a limited amount on it | Very good for shopping online – the risk is limited to the amount loaded onto the card. |
| Well-known payment services (e.g. PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay) | Good – the shop doesn't see your card number. |
| Cash on delivery, where it's offered | Good for local shops – you pay when the parcel arrives. |
| Bank transfer to someone you don't know, crypto, gift cards | Risky – you usually can't get the money back. |
Online marketplaces and selling between people
In buy-and-sell groups on Facebook, Marketplace, Instagram or classified ad websites, you buy and sell directly with other people. The most common scams:
- The fake seller: asks for a deposit for an item that doesn't exist, then disappears.
- The fake buyer: sends you a “payment link” or a “confirmation from the post office” that asks for your card details “so you can receive the money”. You never need a CVV or a PIN to receive money.
- Overpayment: “I paid you too much by mistake – please send me back the difference.” The original payment is later cancelled.
- Stolen or fake goods at a very low price.
- Meet in a public place during the day, and always with a parent.
- Look at the item and try it out before you pay.
- Don't pay deposits to people you don't know.
- Check the seller's profile: how long has it been around, and does it have real reviews?
Subscriptions, “free” trials and what to do if you've been scammed
Lots of apps offer a free trial that automatically turns into a paid subscription after 7 days. Read the terms, set a reminder to cancel it and check your subscriptions in Google Play or the App Store.
If you've been scammed:
- Tell a parent straight away – time matters.
- Contact the bank (the number is on the back of the card) to block the card and dispute the payment.
- Change your passwords if you typed them into the fake website.
- Keep evidence: screenshots of the website, the conversations and the payment.
- Report the profile or website on the platform, and report the case to the Kosovo Police (192).
📖 A real-life story
Teuta, 16, from Prishtina, wanted to sell her old bike in a buy-and-sell group. A “buyer” messaged her straight away: “I'll buy it without seeing it! I've paid you through the delivery service – click here to accept the money.” The link opened a page with a well-known postal logo, asking for her card number, expiry date and CVV.
Teuta remembered what she'd learnt in her IT lesson: you never need a CVV to receive money. She didn't type anything in and showed the message to her dad. They reported the profile, which had been created only a week earlier. A few days later they sold the bike to a neighbour, who paid in cash, in front of the house, with her dad there.
✅ Do / Don't
✅ Do this
- Ask a parent before you buy anything online.
- Search for the shop's name + “scam” or “reviews” before you buy.
- Check the website address, the contact details and the returns policy.
- Pay with a virtual/prepaid card or a well-known payment service.
- Meet in a public place, with a parent, when you buy from or sell to other people.
- Set a reminder to cancel free trials.
- Keep receipts, screenshots and the messages about your purchases.
- Speak up straight away if you suspect a scam.
❌ Don't do this
- Never share your CVV, PIN, SMS codes or online banking password.
- Don't believe offers that are 70–90% cheaper on well-known products.
- Don't pay strangers by bank transfer, crypto or gift cards.
- Don't click a “payment link” that a buyer sends you.
- Don't pay deposits for items you haven't seen.
- Don't save your parents' card in apps without permission.
- Don't let countdown timers and “only 2 left” rush you.
👨👩👧 For parents and teachers
Children often see digital money as “not real”. Talking about budgets and scams helps them build healthy money habits.
- Don't save your bank card on your children's devices; use purchase approval (Family Link, Ask to Buy) or a prepaid card with a limit.
- Turn on notifications for every payment in your banking app.
- Check your subscriptions regularly on Google Play, the App Store and games consoles.
- Try this exercise together: find a shop advert on social media and check whether the shop is genuine.
- Don't let your child go to buy-and-sell meet-ups alone.
- Teachers can link this topic to financial education: budgeting, comparing prices and consumer rights.
🧠 Mini-quiz
Answer 3 questions. Get at least 2 right and the lesson is marked as completed in your passport.