How to chat to your kids about scams: what’s the Robux scam and how can you keep them safe?

If your child loves Roblox, they’re not alone. Millions of children around the world play on the platform, jumping between thousands of games and experiences created by other users.

But where there are lots of young players, scammers aren’t far behind.

Roblox uses Robux, its in-game currency, which your child can earn or buy. Robux can then be spent on virtual items such as clothes, accessories and animations for their avatar.

Scammers know how much children want these items, and they’re using the promise of free Robux to trick them into handing over their account details.

How does the Robux scam work?

Your child might see a message promising free Robux or a special offer if they click a link.

These links can appear in gaming chats, social media comments or messages on platforms such as TikTok, YouTube and Discord.

The message may create a sense of urgency, such as saying the offer is only available for a few hours. The aim is to get your child to click before they have time to think.

The link can take them to a fake Roblox login page that looks almost identical to the real thing.

Your child enters their username and password, and may even be asked for a two-factor authentication code.

They may then be sent to the genuine Roblox website, so everything appears normal.

But the scammer now has the information they need to access the account, steal Robux or potentially use or sell the account details.

What should you tell your child to look out for?

A few simple rules can help keep them safe:

• Be suspicious of free offers. The golden rule applies, if an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
• Don’t click unexpected links. Tell your child to check with you before clicking links offering free items, prizes or rewards.
• Never share passwords or codes. Make sure they know that nobody from Roblox should need their password or two-factor authentication code.
• Check the web address. A website looking like Roblox doesn’t mean it’s genuine. Encourage your child to use the official Roblox app or website rather than clicking links in messages.
• Don’t share personal information. Their home address, phone number, school details and payment information should always stay private.
• Watch out for pressure. Messages telling them to act immediately or keep something secret should be a red flag.

How to talk to your child about scams

Talking about scams doesn’t have to be a big or scary conversation.

• Play and explore together. Try their favourite games so you understand how the platform, chats and in-game purchases work.
• Ask what they would do. You could try: “What would you do if someone offered you free Robux in exchange for your password?”
• Keep the conversation going. Regular chats about gaming and scams can make it easier for your child to come to you if something goes wrong.

And make sure they know they won’t be in trouble for telling you. If they click a suspicious link or give away information by mistake, you want them to feel comfortable coming straight to you.

What should your child do if they spot a scam?

• Stop and block. Don’t reply or click anything. Block the person and delete the message.
• Tell an adult. Encourage them to show you what happened, even if they think they’ve made a mistake.
• Report it. Take a screenshot if it’s safe to do so and report the account or message through the platform.

If your child has shared their password, change it immediately and make sure two-factor authentication is switched on. If they’ve shared payment or banking information, contact the bank as soon as possible.

You can also forward suspicious texts to 7726 for free, report phishing emails to [email protected], and report it to Report Fraud.