Grandparent Scams: How They Work and How to Stop Them

Grandparent scams are among the most emotionally devastating frauds because they weaponise family love and concern. Older adults lose hundreds of millions of dollars annually to this scam category, and many do not report it out of embarrassment.

How the Scam Works

Step 1: The distress call. You receive a phone call, sometimes late at night. The caller says something like "Grandma, it's me, I'm in trouble." If you say a name, they confirm it. If not, they say enough to let you fill in the gap. They claim to have been arrested, been in a car accident (often involving a DUI charge), or ended up in a hospital abroad.

Step 2: The secrecy instruction. The caller pleads with you not to tell their parents. This serves two purposes: it isolates you from people who might reality-check the situation, and it creates a sense of intimacy and urgency.

Step 3: The official. A second person takes the phone, identifying as a lawyer, bail bondsman, or court official. They explain the fee required and how to pay, almost always by wire transfer, gift cards, or increasingly by cash sent through a courier.

Step 4: The courier. In some versions, someone comes to your door to collect cash directly. This person is also part of the scam.

AI Voice Cloning: A New Development

Scammers increasingly use AI to clone voices from social media videos. A brief clip of your grandchild talking is enough to generate a convincing facsimile of their voice for the call. This makes the scam harder to dismiss based on "it doesn't sound right."

The FTC has warned about AI voice cloning specifically in the context of family emergency scams.

How to Respond

Do not send any money before verifying. Hang up and call your grandchild directly on a number you have always used for them. If they are genuinely in trouble, they will answer or call back. If you cannot reach them, call their parents.

The secrecy request is the key red flag. No real emergency requires you to keep it from your family. The instruction to stay quiet exists solely to prevent you from making the call that would expose the scam.

Ask a verification question. If you are unsure whether you are speaking to your grandchild, ask something only they would know: a childhood memory, a pet's name, a family detail. Scammers cannot answer.

If Someone Has Already Come to Your Door

Call 911. Do not hand over cash. A real bail bondsman or attorney does not send someone to collect cash from a family member's home. This is a courier collecting fraud proceeds.

Where to Report