Fake message trap under the guise of social media age verification

Ahead of the new social media regulation targeting children under 15, fraudsters are attempting to capture users' personal and financial information through fake age verification messages and links. The Presidency's Directorate of Communications Center for Combating Disinformation (DMM) has warned citizens against such fraudulent attempts.

Fraudsters direct users to fake websites via fake SMS, email, and social media messages such as "Your account will be closed" and "Verify your age immediately." Trying to take advantage of concerns regarding the new regulation, these individuals abuse statements that age verification will be conducted via e-Government. In a statement on October 23, the DMM had stated that caution should be exercised against such messages that create the impression of an official institution or platform.

Authorities emphasize that age verification procedures must be conducted exclusively through the official e-Government address, https://www.turkiye.gov.tr, or the official mobile application. It is recommended not to trust messages that request e-Government passwords, SMS verification codes, and bank card information or demand payment, and not to share personal information with third parties.

The social media regulation targeting children under 15 is projected to enter into force on November 1, 2026. Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş had announced that users wanting to open an account would verify their age with a digital code obtained through e-Government. It is planned that requests to open new accounts by users determined to be under 15 will be rejected, and an age verification process will be applied for existing accounts until March 31, 2027.