What is a Grandparent Scams?
How It Works — Step by Step
- Elderly person receives call from someone claiming to be their grandchild in trouble
- Common scenarios: arrested and needs bail money, in accident and needs car repair money, stuck abroad and needs travel money
- An 'authority figure' (attorney, police officer, bail bondsman) then calls to provide details
- Instructed not to tell the grandchild's parents (to avoid 'embarrassment')
- Cash or gift cards are picked up by a courier or mailed, or wired/sent via crypto
- After money is sent, more requests follow before contact is lost
Top Countries (Victims)
Top Platforms Used
⚠️ Warning Signs
- Unexpected call from grandchild claiming to be in emergency
- Voice sounds different than expected ('I have a cold' explanation)
- Requests for secrecy from parents
- Payment via gift cards, cash courier, or wire
- Attorney or official calls to follow up and collect payment
- Urgency preventing you from verifying with other family members
✅ How to Protect Yourself
- Establish a family code word for emergency verification
- Hang up and call your grandchild directly on their known number
- Call the grandchild's parents before sending any money
- Educate elderly relatives about this specific scam
- Real lawyers and police never ask for bail money via gift cards
- Take your time — any legitimate emergency can wait 10 minutes for you to verify
Real Cases from Our Database
They tried a grandparent scam on my childless uncle I’m the caregiver for my 79 year old uncle. I am his only living relative. My uncle is one of the cleverest people I know. This weekend, he got a ...
[UK]'Grandparent scam' with no obvious link - how was it achieved? My partners step mother was the victim of a grandparent scam; she has not lost any money, but is very shaken. I'd like to ascertain h...
Nearly fell for a bail scam -- and it feels like this had to be an "inside job" What do you think? My spouse was actually arrested and did actually need to be bailed out. She called the only phone nu...
[US] Grandma scammed into homelessness My grandma (65) has been scammed by someone pretending to be the podcaster Sergio Talks for almost a year. The scammer use AI to video chat her, has convinced h...
[US] I almost fell for the bail scam! Family member was arrested Thanksgiving night, able to bond out Friday after 1st appearance. Family member was able to get a message to me of such. Right after, ...
[US] Is Grandma scammed again? My grandmother and her sister were POA For their older sister. When she passed they took the 1000$ left in her account and split it. They weren’t supposed to do that. Th...
[US] Grandma Scammed by AI My grandmother recently received a phone call from an unknown number, she usually answers these. When she picked up a man was on the other end claiming to have kidnapped my...
[US] Monterey Bay Community Hospital Call-Can't See Endgame or Scam Received 2 phone calls from male voice at the Monterey Community Hospital. (Normally I wouldn't have answered the call but did have ...
Grandma and Grandma Scams Solution Your grandparents worked hard, they helped to raise you right, taught you values, took care of you, they came from a time when people were "decent". By decent I mean...
📋 Where to Report Grandparent Scams
- FTC (reportfraud.ftc.gov)
- FBI IC3 (ic3.gov)
- Local police
- AARP Fraud Helpline: 877-908-3360