Featured in Consumer Reports Talking Gen Z and Text Scams
Gen Z is getting hit hard by text scams, and I broke down why for Consumer Reports.
Have you seen this? These financial scams aren’t just rising. They’ve become so common that they feel normal to many Gen Zers.
Why is Gen Z so exposed to text scams?
A few forces stack up at once:
- Texting and direct messaging are their go-to communication channels
- Group threads with unknown numbers blur the line between friends and fraudsters
- Instant access to digital cash makes it easier than ever for scammers to succeed
This is a big deal that Gen Z, and their parents, aren’t talking about enough. These small-dollar scams add up, and they’re shaping how an entire generation sees digital trust and financial risk.
The hidden trend most people miss
Here’s what stands out from a generational lens: the real danger isn’t one giant scam. It’s the steady drip of small ones that feel routine, quietly teaching a generation that getting burned online is just part of life. That normalization is the risk we should be talking about.
Huge thanks to Consumer Reports for spotlighting this important, hidden trend and including our insights from CGK. If you want to go deeper on Gen Z, our annual State of Gen Z Report and our bestselling book Zconomy both dig in.
If you lead, parent, market to, or work with Gen Z, give the article a read and pass it on. Let’s help the next generation stay one step ahead.
The real threat to Gen Z isn’t one big scam. It’s small scams that feel normal.
Q: Why is Gen Z getting targeted by text scams?
A: Texting and direct messaging are Gen Z’s go-to channels, group threads with unknown numbers blur friends and fraudsters, and instant access to digital cash makes scams easier to pull off.
Q: Where did Jason Dorsey talk about Gen Z and text scams?
A: Jason Dorsey shared CGK’s insights on Gen Z and text scams in Consumer Reports, spotlighting a hidden financial trend affecting the generation.
Q: Why are small text scams a bigger deal than they seem for Gen Z?
A: Because they have become so common they feel normal, small-dollar scams add up and shape how an entire generation sees digital trust and financial risk.
Posted: October 17th, 2025
Categories: Generations | Inspiration | Keynote Speaking | Leadership | Trends | Workforce
Written by Jason Dorsey
Jason Dorsey is an acclaimed generations and behavioral researcher and speaker. He's received over 1,000 standing ovations for his unique keynote presentations. Jason has led over 200 research studies. Adweek calls him a "research guru." His mission is to deliver new insights and practical strategies that solve business challenges for leaders.
