Scam #1: The Grandparent Scam

The Grandparent Scam is one of the most emotionally jarring of all common phone scams for seniors. It preys on the love and protective instincts a grandparent has for their grandchild. It’s effective because it creates a sense of extreme urgency and panic, short-circuiting your natural caution.

Here is how it typically works: You receive a phone call from someone who says, “Grandma? It’s me.” They may sound upset or be crying, and the connection might be poor, making it hard to recognize their voice. If you respond with your grandchild’s name, such as, “David, is that you?” the scammer now has the name they need. They will immediately agree, “Yes, it’s me!”

The caller then launches into a frantic story. They might claim they’ve been in a car accident, have been arrested in another state or country, or are in trouble at school and need money immediately. There’s always a reason they can’t talk to their parents. They will insist you don’t tell anyone, saying they are embarrassed or scared.

Often, another person will get on the line, pretending to be a lawyer, a police officer, or a bail bondsman. This person will give you instructions on how to send the money. They will demand payment through methods that are difficult to trace and impossible to reverse, such as a wire transfer, a payment app, or by purchasing gift cards and reading the numbers over the phone.

The key to this financial fraud is speed and secrecy. They want you to act before you have a chance to think or verify the story.

How to Avoid the Grandparent Scam

The best defense against this scam is to slow down and verify the information, no matter how panicked the person on the phone sounds.

Resist the Urge to Act Immediately. Scammers create a false sense of emergency to prevent you from thinking clearly. Your first reaction should be to pause and take a breath. A real emergency can wait five minutes while you confirm the details.

Verify the Story Independently. After you hang up the phone, call your grandchild directly on a phone number you know is theirs. If you can’t reach them, call their parents, another close relative, or a friend. Use contact information you already have, not a number provided by the suspicious caller.

Create a Family “Safe Word.” A proactive strategy is to establish a special code word or a unique question with your family members. It could be the name of a first pet or a favorite family vacation spot. If someone calls in a panic, you can ask them for the safe word. A scammer will not know it.

Never Send Money Based on a Phone Call. Be extremely suspicious of anyone who demands money be sent via wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency. These are huge red flags. Government agencies and legitimate businesses will not ask for payment this way.

Remember, your love for your family is a strength. Scammers try to twist it into a weakness. By taking a moment to verify, you are protecting not only your finances but your family as well.