The Miami wide receiver is using his platform to share his own experience with scams in the NIL era and how young people can protect themselves and their money.
Miami wide receiver Malachi Toney is taking on a new kind of opponent off the field. The Miami native has partnered with Chase to help educate young adults on how to recognize scams and fraud.
Through a series of sponsored social posts, Toney opens up about his personal experience with scams in the age of NIL (name, image and likeness), when college athletes are fielding more brand deals, DMs and business opportunities than ever before. Alongside his story, he shares practical tips for spotting red flags, verifying requests before acting on them, and better protecting personal and financial information.
For a generation that does much of its banking, shopping and networking from a phone, the line between a real opportunity and a scam can be hard to see. That’s especially true for young athletes whose profiles are growing fast. The partnership puts that message in front of the audience that needs it most, delivered by someone they already follow.
“As a college athlete, I’ve seen how exciting it can be to get new opportunities through NIL and social media, but that also makes it important to know who you’re dealing with and recognize when something doesn’t feel right. Scams can happen to anyone, and I partnered with Chase because I want to help other young people recognize the warning signs, slow down and take the time to protect themselves and their money,” says Toney.
The campaign centers on three habits:
- Recognize the red flags. If something feels off, it probably is.
- Verify before you act. Confirm who you’re dealing with before sharing anything or sending money.
- Protect your information. Treat personal and financial details as valuable, because they are.
The common thread: slow down. Scammers count on urgency, and taking a moment to pause and check can make all the difference.
Toney grew up in Miami’s Liberty City neighborhood and played high school ball at American Heritage before reclassifying to join the league early. He made an immediate impact as a true freshman in 2025, becoming the first Miami freshman to surpass 1,000 receiving yards in a season and earning ACC Offensive Rookie of the Year and FWAA Freshman of the Year honors.
Now in his sophomore season, he’s one of the most recognizable faces in college football and he’s putting that visibility to work for something bigger than the game.