“Grandma, I’ve been in an accident and need help. Can you send money?”
Scammers have been using deceptive tactics like this to target older adults for years. In 2023, the FBI received nearly 200 reports of these so-called “grandparent scams,” resulting in nearly $2 million in reported losses—though the actual number is likely much higher due to underreporting. Recently, law enforcement has made high-profile arrests of these fraudsters, yet the scams continue to evolve.
Even Hollywood has taken notice. The recent thriller Thelma begins with a chilling phone call: A scammer impersonates the main character’s grandson using AI-generated deepfake technology, claiming he’s been in a car crash and needs $10,000 for bail. The film is based on a real-life incident that happened to the filmmaker’s grandmother.
What Are Grandparent Scams?
Also known as “family emergency scams,” grandparent scams primarily target older adults via phone calls, though text messages, emails, and even social media messages can also be used. The scammers impersonate a distressed grandchild, a lawyer, or law enforcement and claim that a family member is in urgent trouble—often citing accidents, arrests, or medical emergencies.
Their goal? To pressure the victim into sending money immediately while keeping the situation a secret from other family members. With the rise of AI-driven voice cloning and deepfake technology, these scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated and harder to detect.
How the Grandparent Scam Works
The classic grandparent scam follows a predictable pattern:
- An unexpected phone call: The victim receives a call from someone impersonating a relative, a police officer, or an attorney. Increasingly, scammers can use deepfake technology to make it sound or look like its coming from the grandchild.
- A fabricated emergency: The scammer claims the grandchild is in serious trouble—such as needing bail, medical care, or legal fees.
- A sense of urgency: The caller insists that immediate payment is necessary, often requesting cash, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers. Creating an emotional sense of urgency is a common tactic used by scammers to get victims to act without thinking.
- A demand for secrecy: The scammer discourages the victim from contacting other family members, sometimes fabricating a “gag order” from someone impersonating a legal authority or even the grandchild pleading for the grandparent “do not tell my parents.” There is usually some excuse to keep it a secret.
- Additional money requests: If the victim complies, the scammer may demand more funds, claiming additional fines or expenses.
Emotional Manipulation: The Key to Their Success
Grandparent scams are effective because they exploit emotions, particularly fear and love. The fraudsters gather personal details—often from social media—to make their deception more convincing.
Like phishing attacks, these scams are a form of “social engineering” that manipulate human emotions to override logical thinking. By crafting a high-stakes scenario, scammers push their victims into immediate action, bypassing their usual caution and skepticism.
How to Protect Yourself and Your Family
Scammers rely on secrecy, urgency, and emotional distress to succeed. Here’s how you can protect yourself and your loved ones:
Recognize the Warning Signs
- An urgent, unexpected phone call claiming a family member is in trouble.
- Requests for immediate payment through untraceable methods like gift cards, cryptocurrency, or cash.
- A demand for secrecy, preventing the victim from confirming the story with others.
What to Do If You Receive a Suspicious Call
- Hang up immediately—even if the caller sounds like a relative.
- Verify the story by calling the relative directly using a known phone number.
- Check with other family members to confirm the situation.
- Never send money to an unknown caller, no matter how convincing their story seems.
- Avoid sharing personal information online that could be used to enhance a scam.
Take Preventative Steps
- Establish a family code word: Share a secret phrase among family members that can be used to confirm identities in emergencies.
- Be cautious with social media: Scammers scrape social media profiles for information. Adjust privacy settings and be sure not to overshare on social media.
- Regularly check in with older relatives: Frequent communication can help identify suspicious activity before it’s too late.
Reporting a Grandparent Scam
If you or a loved one has been targeted, take action:
- Report it to local law enforcement and file a police report.
- Submit a complaint to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at www.ic3.gov.
- Notify your bank or financial institution if money was sent to a scammer.
Stay Vigilant & Protect Your Family
Grandparent scams are a cruel form of fraud that prey on emotions and trust. By spreading awareness, staying informed, and implementing protective measures, you can help shield your loved ones from financial and emotional harm.
Encourage open conversations with older family members and remind them that no legitimate emergency requires immediate, secretive payments. Together, we can stop scammers in their tracks and keep our families safe.