Dinero Teens: Is It Really Them? Think Before You Send

Your friend messages you: “Can you send me $20? I’ll pay you back tomorrow.” Your brother says he lost his wallet and needs money for a ride home. Or maybe a family member sends an urgent message saying they're in trouble and need money right now.

You recognize the name. You recognize the profile picture. And because it's someone you care about; your first instinct might be to help. But before you hit send, ask one important question: Is it really them?

Scammers can take over social media accounts, impersonate people you know or create messages designed to look like they're coming from someone you trust. New technology can make fake messages, voices and even videos seem surprisingly convincing.

One of the biggest warning signs is urgency. A scammer doesn't want to give you time to think. They may tell you it's an emergency, ask you not to tell anyone or pressure you to send money immediately. If someone you know unexpectedly asks for money, stop and verify before you send. Call them using the number already saved in your phone, FaceTime them yourself or contact another family member. Don't use a phone number or link provided in the suspicious message. And if you realize you've sent money to the wrong person or notice something suspicious, act quickly. Check your account activity, use your card controls when appropriate and contact your financial institution for help.

Try This: Create a family code word that only your family knows. If you ever receive an unusual or urgent request for money, asking for the code word can give you another way to help determine whether the person contacting you is really who they say they are.

Remember: Helping someone you care about is a good thing. Taking a minute to make sure it's actually them is even better.