The Grandparent Scam: What It Is and How to Avoid It

September Scam of the Month

What is The Grandparent Scam?

It is a manipulative tactic where scammers pose as a distressed grandchild or sometimes a friend or lawyer of the grandchild—and urgently demand money. Typical ploys include claims of arrest, accidents, medical emergencies, or being stranded abroad. Funds are often requested via wire transfers, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or even picked up in person. Scammers insist that the grandparent keep the situation secret to avoid suspicion. These schemes are designed to prey on love and concern for one’s grandchildren.

How to Avoid the Grandparent Scam:

  • Pause and breathe. Resist the sense of urgency the fraudster is creating. Stay calm.

  • Create a ‘Family Code.’ A secret word or phrase known only to close family to confirm identity.

  • Ask personal questions. Quiz the caller with something only your real grandchild would know—inside jokes, names of pets, childhood memories.

  • Verify their story. Hang up and call your grandchild directly or reach out to their parents.

  • Check your privacy settings. Set social media profiles to private, scammers often mine public info to make their stories believable.

  • Know the red flags. Law enforcement will NEVER ask for money.

  • Watch out for suspicious payment methods. Gift cards, wire transfers, cash, and cryptocurrency are all strong scam indicators.

  • Monitor behavior. Family members should watch for signs like large withdrawals or secrecy about phone calls.

Real-World Case:

NBC News reported a disturbing case where 13 scammers defrauded over 400 seniors across the U.S., stealing more than $5 million. They impersonated grandchildren, claiming emergencies and pushing victims to act fast, involving fake lawyers and emotional manipulation to hand over their life savings. This case highlights how sophisticated and widespread this scam has become, especially as it involves:

  • Voice cloning technology – Software that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to mimic a person’s voice.

  • Legal impersonations – When a scammer pretends to be lawyers, police, or court officials to make their stories more believable.

  • Ride-share pickups to collect money – Scammers are using ride-share services sending a driver to a victim’s home to pick up cash or packages, avoiding direct contact and making it harder to trace.

Learn more about the case here.

Together, we can stay alert and protect our families from falling victim to this scam.

Where To Report?

Report to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) online or call 1-877-438-4338. Use the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center to file a complaint. You can also contact local police or sheriff’s office to file a report.

Scam of the MonthBrianna Glose