Start the scam conversation with your teen
A practical, judgment-free guide for Hamilton parents to talk openly with youth about online scams, spot warning signs early, and respond calmly.
Together, turn on transaction alerts for every account your teen uses. Getting a text the moment money moves makes a scammer's job far harder.
What do we do if a scam has already happened?
Work through these steps calmly. You are not alone, and there is a clear path forward.
Stay calm. Take screenshots, save messages, and note times and amounts. Do not delete anything yet. This record becomes the evidence you need for every report that follows.
1 in 4 young people report being targeted by online scams
These numbers come from public reporting, not from us. They are why this guide exists and why having the conversation matters before, not after, something happens.
1 in 4
Youth targeted online
Roughly a quarter of young people report encountering a scam attempt.
$1.02B
Lost to youth scams
Reported losses among young Canadians in a recent year, and that is only what got reported.
47%
Report to no one
Nearly half of young victims never tell a parent, friend, or authority figure.
Your instincts are right. Now let's turn them into a plan.
Call (289) 439-9651 or email email@mybusiness.com. We'll help you plan the next conversation, no judgment, no pressure, just a clear next step.