Older adults have received urgent messages like this from scammers for too long. In 2023, the FBI received reports of around 200 grandparent scams that resulted in the loss of almost $2 million, which is likely low due to underreporting. There have also been high-profile arrests of these scammers recently. The hit movie Thelma begins with the title character receiving a call where a scammer impersonates her grandson's voice using deepfake AI technology. The "grandson" claims that he was involved in a car accident and that he needs her to send $10,000 to make bail. The movie was inspired by a real incident where the filmmaker's grandmother was caught up in this all-too-common scam.  

So-called "grandparent scams" or "family emergency scams" target older adults and usually occur over the phone, although other means of communication can be used. The scammers impersonate law enforcement, attorneys, or the relatives themselves. The criminals work to convince the victim that a family member is in deep trouble, a lot of money is required, and the victim has to keep it all a secret.  

With the rise of audio and video-generative AI, these scams are harder to detect. Still, there are red flags to look for. You should also talk to your family about these incidents and how you can all work together to stay safe.  

How the scam works

Grandparent scams classically start with an unexpected phone call. The caller claims to be a grandchild, police officer, or lawyer, stating that the grandkid urgently needs financial help. The money is needed for bail money, attorney fees, or medical bills. The scammer insists on immediate action and aims to create panic in the victim. They instruct the victim to wire money, transfer cryptocurrency, purchase gift cards, mail payments, or even send cash through a courier. 

To make the call convincing, scammers often possess personal information about the victim and the family member they are impersonating. This information might be gleaned from social media, personal websites, or other online sources. Now, AI can even be used to mimic the grandkid's voice!  

Additionally, the scammers tell the victim to keep the payment a secret, even from family members. For example, they might say a judge ordered a gag order about the case.  

Even though the details might differ and the scammers strive to be as convincing as possible, the hallmarks of family emergency scams involve: 

1. An unexpected, dire emergency. 

2. Demands for immediate payment through unconventional means.  

3. Requests that the victim keeps the incident a secret.  

As time goes on, the scammers might request more secret payments by claiming, for instance, that a person died due to injuries caused by the (fake) accident.   

Scammers appeal to emotions

These scams are effective because they exploit the emotional bonds between family members. The personal touches scrubbed from social media make the victim act before thinking. Like phishing emails, these scams are a form of what cybersecurity experts call "social engineering." 

Scammers know that grandparents are likely to act quickly and without hesitation to help a family member in distress. The scenario is always dire, and oftentimes, the scammer implies the grandkid is at fault and in deep trouble, like they injured a pregnant woman or diplomat because they drove drunk. This storytelling is supposed to manipulate the victim's emotions, making it hard to think rationally and verify anything.  

The emphasis on secrecy isolates the victim and prevents them from seeking advice or assistance from others who might recognize a scam is occurring. 

When in doubt, hang up!

Family emergency scams are distressing and are meant to stir up strong emotions. Remember these tips when the telephone rings: 

• Don't answer phone calls from telephone numbers you don't recognize.  

• If you receive a call from or about a family member that includes an urgent request for money, hang up! Disconnect even if the person on the other end sounds like a loved one.  

• Instead, call the direct phone number for the family member.  

• If the family member doesn't pick up or you don't have their number, call another family member to verify the situation.  

• If anyone tells you to keep an emergency or payments a secret, it's a red flag, and you should hang up.  

• Never send money to an unknown person who calls or contacts you online.  

• Don't reveal any personal or financial information to an unknown contact, including names. Oftentimes, grandparent scams start with the scammer saying something like "It's your grandson," the grandparent gives away the name ("Timmy?"), and the scammer rolls with the information.  

Have a family discussion

Working to prevent grandparent scams is a family effort. Here are some ways to protect your loved ones: 

• Code words: Establish a family code word. If a relative is truly in trouble, they will use the code word to verify their identity. 

• Share with care: Scammers check social media and exploit the information there. Even a few seconds of audio can be used to create a convincing deepfake of a person's voice. Everyone in the family, from grandparents to grandkids, should think about what they're sharing on social media, who can see it, and how cybercriminals could use it.   

• Check in regularly: Not only does communication build family bonds, but you can also teach other cybersecurity tips! 

By keeping vigilant, you can help protect your family from the emotional and financial harm caused by grandparent scams.

How to report scams

If you believe you or someone you know has been targeted by a grandparent scam, it's important to report it. Here are some steps you can take: 

• Contact your local police department and file a report. 

• Report the scam to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) online.  

• Contact your bank or financial institution if money was sent to the scammer. 

Family emergency scams are heinous in how they manipulate vulnerable older adults. They are serious crimes, but we can work together to protect our grandparents!