Grandparent Scams: The Fake Emergency Call Explained
What is this scam?
Grandparent scams are a particularly cruel form of fraud targeting older adults. In these schemes, scammers call and pretend to be the victim's grandchild, claiming they need urgent financial help due to an emergency such as legal troubles or medical bills. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), individuals reported losing over $180 million in 2022 alone from this type of scam. The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) reports that seniors are often chosen because they may be more trusting and less aware of common fraud tactics, making them vulnerable targets.
How the scam works
Real examples
Jane, a retired schoolteacher, received a call from someone claiming to be her grandson. The voice sounded urgent and panicked as they said he was in Europe and had been arrested for drug possession. He asked Jane not to tell his parents and requested money immediately.
Tom’s daughter-in-law called him upset because Tom's son hadn't answered his phone all day. A few hours later, Tom received a call from someone who claimed to be his son, saying he had an accident and needed bail money right away.
Red flags to watch for
- The caller is asking for immediate financial help without providing specific details or proof.
- The caller insists on secrecy and not telling other family members about the situation.
- Requests are made for cash transfers through untraceable methods such as gift cards, wire transfer services, or cryptocurrency.
- The scammer uses emotional manipulation to create a sense of urgency and fear.
- The call appears to come from a local number but is actually spoofed by scammers.
Victim recovery plan
- 🚨 Contact your bank and credit card issuers to report the fraud and request they freeze any accounts involved in the scam.
- 🚨 If you sent money via gift cards, contact the issuing company immediately. For example, if it was a Walmart or Target gift card, call their customer service (Walmart: 1-800-339-9745, Target: 1-800-846-2334) to report the fraud.
- 🚨 If you provided any personal information, monitor your bank statements and credit reports for any unusual activity.
- 🚨 Secure any devices used during the scam by changing passwords and updating security software.
- 📝 Report to FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov, providing details of how you were contacted and what information was compromised.
- 📝 File with FBI IC3 at ic3.gov to provide additional details that may help law enforcement track the scammer.
- 📝 Contact local police for a report number; bring any emails or phone records as evidence.
- 📝 File with your state Attorney General’s office, as they often have consumer protection units.
- 💳 Dispute charges on your credit card statements and request a refund for any money sent via gift cards.
- 💳 Freeze credit at all 3 bureaus (Equifax: equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services, Experian: experian.com/freeze, TransUnion: transunion.com/credit-freeze) to prevent identity theft.
- 💳 Consider setting up fraud alerts with your financial institutions and monitor your accounts for unauthorized transactions.
- 🔒 Change passwords on any compromised accounts, especially if the scammer may have accessed personal information or login credentials.
- 🔒 If sensitive documents like Social Security numbers were shared, consider placing a fraud alert with credit bureaus.
- 💛 These scammers are professionals who manipulate thousands of people; you are not alone.
- 💛 Talk to someone you trust about what happened, such as a family member or close friend.
- 💛 Contact the AARP Fraud Watch helpline at 877-908-3360 for free support and guidance.
- 📋 Monitor credit reports weekly at annualcreditreport.com to catch any new fraudulent activity early.
- 📋 Watch for follow-up scams targeting previous victims, staying vigilant against further manipulation.
- 📋 Continue changing passwords and updating security measures on your devices.
How scammers find you
- Phone calls using spoofed numbers or robocalls
- Social media messages where scammers impersonate relatives
- Emails that mimic the style of your grandchild’s usual communication
Related scams
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