Grandparent Scam
Scammers impersonate relatives in distress to extract urgent money.
Severity: HighPrevalence: CommonLast Updated: 2026-02-10
Channels
Target Audiences
How It Works
A scammer calls an elderly person and pretends to be a grandchild or other close relative in distress. They may say they were in a car accident, arrested, or hospitalized abroad. The caller pleads for immediate financial help and begs the grandparent not to tell other family members. Often a second scammer poses as a "lawyer" or "police officer" to add credibility. Payment is typically demanded via wire transfer, cash courier, or gift cards. The emotional urgency makes it very difficult for the victim to think critically in the moment.
Red Flags
- Urgent emotional pleas – a panicked caller claiming to be a relative who needs money right now.
- Requests for secrecy – "Please don't tell Mom and Dad" is a classic manipulation to prevent verification.
- Payment via wire transfer or gift cards – legitimate emergencies are not resolved with iTunes cards.
Protect Yourself
- Verify with family – before taking any action, hang up and call the relative directly on their known number.
- Never send money without independent confirmation from another family member.
- Create a family "safe word" that only real family members would know, to verify identity during phone calls.
Visual Examples
What To Do If You've Been Scammed
- Hang up and verify – call the relative directly to confirm whether the emergency is real.
- Call other family members to cross-check the story.
- Report the phone number to police and relevant authorities.
- Inform police immediately if any money was sent – quick action may help recover funds.