Money Muncher

Online safety · Family practice guide

Someone asked for money in a DM. What now?

No shame. No panic. Use one short plan: Stop. Check. Tell.

1STOPDo not reply, click, or pay. 2CHECKCould this be fake or rushed? 3TELLShow a trusted adult.

Parent first: Thank your child for showing you. Curiosity or one mistaken tap does not mean they are in trouble.

Practice this first

A two-line kid script

“I don’t send money, gift cards, or codes. I’m blocking this and telling my grown-up now.”

It is also okay to say nothing. Not replying is a strong choice.

Spot the pattern

Four clues that mean “pause”

Hurry

“Do it now.” “Don’t tell anyone.”

Pay

Money, gift cards, crypto, or payment apps.

Private info

Passwords, codes, photos, address, or school.

Pretend

A “friend,” prize, company, or emergency you cannot check.

Memory trick: Hurry + money + secrecy = tell an adult.

Two quick role-plays

Practice when everyone is calm

2 minutes

1. Pause and point

  1. Parent reads: “You won! Send a $20 gift card code in ten minutes.”
  2. Child points to Stop, Check, or Tell.
  3. Child says the short script—or practices saying nothing.
3 minutes

2. Trusted-team relay

  1. Parent plays the stranger: “I’m your friend. Keep this secret.”
  2. Child puts the phone down and names two trusted adults.
  3. Together, practice: save safe evidence, report, block, and tell.

Make it easier: Let the child point, read a card, or use an AAC device instead of speaking from memory.

Keep the conversation open

Discussion prompts

  • What part of this message tries to make you hurry?
  • What does the person want: money, a code, a click, or private information?
  • How could we check the story without replying to the DM?
  • Who are two adults you can tell without getting in trouble?
  • What would you say to a friend who received this message?

Safer profile boundaries

Short phrases for a social bio

Use one line. Do not list age, school, location, teams, or daily schedule.

No money requests, gift cards, codes, or links.
Unknown money DMs are blocked and reported.
I check links and requests with my family.

A bio cannot stop every stranger. Privacy settings, message controls, blocking, and reporting still matter.

Report with your child

Simple reporting steps

  1. Do not reply, click, or pay.
  2. Show a trusted adult. Save the username and a screenshot when it is safe and allowed.
  3. Report the message and account. Then block the account.
Instagram
  1. Open the conversation.
  2. Press and hold the suspicious message.
  3. Tap Report, choose the closest reason such as scam or fraud, and follow the prompts.
  4. Tap the account name at the top of the chat, then choose Block.
Check Instagram’s current help page
TikTok
  1. Tap Inbox, then open the conversation.
  2. Press and hold the suspicious direct message.
  3. Tap Report, choose the reason, and follow the prompts.
  4. Open the account’s profile, tap the share/menu button, then choose Block.
Check TikTok’s current help page
Snapchat
  1. Press and hold the suspicious Chat message.
  2. Tap Report and follow the prompts.
  3. To report the account, press and hold the person’s name in Chat.
  4. Tap Manage Friendship, then Report. Return to Manage Friendship to block.

Snapchat may notify someone about screenshots. If possible, pause and report with a trusted adult beside you.

Check Snapchat’s current help page

App labels can change. If a button looks different, open the platform’s linked help page or ask a trusted adult to search its Help or Safety menu.

If something was already sent

Act quickly—without blame

  • Stop contact. Do not send more money, codes, or pictures.
  • Tell a trusted adult now.
  • If money was sent, contact the bank, payment app, or gift-card company immediately and ask whether it can be stopped.
  • Report fraud to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
  • If there are threats, sexual requests, or sexual images involving a child, do not save or forward the images. In Canada, report to Cybertip.ca. Call 911 for immediate danger.

Designed for different learners

Keep the rule steady and concrete

  • Practice the same three words: Stop. Check. Tell.
  • Teach one clue at a time. Repeat on another day.
  • Use pointing, pictures, role-play, text-to-speech, or AAC.
  • Avoid surprise “tests.” Say when you are pretending.
  • Praise showing an adult, even if the child already replied or clicked.

Sources and family note

This educational guide uses plain-language cognitive accessibility guidance and current scam/reporting guidance from:

This is general education, not legal or emergency advice. Platform menus and reporting labels may change.

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