Grandparent scams: how the fake family emergency call works
Quick answer
A call or message from a grandchild or relative in trouble who needs money right now, and asks you to keep it secret, is a scam. Don't trust the voice alone. Hang up and call the person on a number you already know, then report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
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How it works
The FTC calls this a family emergency scam. Someone pretends to be a relative, or a lawyer, police officer or doctor acting for one, and says there's an emergency: an arrest, a crash, a hospital stay. They need money fast.
Scammers often already know a lot about you or the person they're pretending to be. The FTC says they may pull details from social media or a hacked family email account. They can also use voice cloning: a short audio clip posted online, or your own voice recorded during the call, can be enough to imitate a loved one.
The ask is almost always money sent in a way that's hard to trace, and a request to keep it quiet so family doesn't find out.
Red flags
- A call or message about a relative in trouble who needs money immediately
- A request to keep it secret from the rest of the family
- Someone posing as a lawyer, police officer or doctor on the relative's behalf
- A voice that sounds right but a story that doesn't add up
- Pressure to pay by gift card, wire or crypto
- Details about your family that you assume only a relative would know
Example message
Grandma, it's me. I'm in trouble and I need money right now, please don't tell Mom and Dad. A lawyer will call you in a minute with the details, and you have to pay today. Call [phone number].
What to do
- 1
Hang up and call your relative
Use a number you know is theirs, not the one that called you. If they don't answer, try another family member or their friends.
- 2
Don't trust the voice
The FTC warns that scammers can clone a voice from a short audio clip. A familiar voice isn't proof.
- 3
Never pay under pressure
Real emergencies can survive a 10-minute check. Don't send gift cards, wires or crypto to someone who called you.
- 4
If you already paid
Contact your bank, card issuer or the gift card company right away and tell them it was fraud. Keep receipts and the number that called.
- 5
Agree on a family check
Some families pick a code word or a question only they know, so a stranger can't pass the check.
Report it
Check if your details are exposed with Serus
Scammers find your number and address on data brokers and people-search sites. Serus removes them.
Why you got it
Scammers choose targets and build the story from public details: your name, your age, your relatives and your phone number, which people-search sites often list together. Serus finds where your address, phone number and family links are listed and removes them, and alerts you when your details show up in a breach, so there's less for a caller to work with.
Frequently asked
What is the grandparent scam?
A scammer pretends to be a grandchild or other relative in an emergency and asks for money. The FTC files it under family emergency scams.
Can scammers fake my grandchild's voice?
Yes. The FTC says voice-cloning programs can imitate someone from a short audio clip, which may come from social media.
What if the caller knows my family's names?
That doesn't prove anything. The FTC says scammers can get details from social media or a hacked family email account.
Should I pay if I can't reach my relative?
No. Try another relative or their friends first, and never pay by gift card, wire or crypto at a stranger's request.
Sources
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