🎯 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.