Scam library
Fake family emergency
Someone pretends to be a grandchild, child or friend in trouble and needs money fast and in secret.
How much people are talking about "grandparent scam" online, measured by LunarCrush. Attention, not a count of victims.
What it looks like
How it works
The caller or texter claims to be someone you love, or a lawyer or officer speaking for them, and says there has been an accident, an arrest or a lost phone. They push for speed and secrecy so you do not check with anyone. Then they ask for cash handed to a courier, cash mailed in a box, gift cards, a wire, a payment app transfer or crypto.
Warning signs
- A new phone number, or the person cannot come to the phone
- They ask you to keep it secret, especially from other family
- Urgency: it has to happen today, in the next hour
- Payment by cash pickup, mailed cash, gift cards, wire or crypto
- Details are vague until you supply them, like saying the name for them
- Hang up or stop replying. Call the person directly on the number you already have for them.
- If you cannot reach them, call another family member who would know.
- Ask a question only the real person would know, or use a family code word if you have one.
- Never hand cash to a courier or mail cash. No real court, jail or lawyer collects bail that way.
- Call your bank or card fraud line now and ask them to stop or reverse the payment.
- If you used gift cards, call the number on the back of the card, say it was a scam, and keep the cards and receipts.
- Call local police if a courier came to your home. Scammers often come back for a second payment.
- Report it at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
Who gets targeted
Grandparents and parents most often. Scammers count on love and quick action, not on anyone being naive.
Also read: Can scammers clone my family member's voice?
Protect yourself: The Family Kit