Grandparent Scams: How They Work and What to Say

The phone rings, and a young voice says, “Grandma, it’s me. I’m in trouble.” In seconds you hear about a car accident, an arrest or a hospital, and a desperate plea for money. That is how a grandparent scam begins. It works because it targets love and fear at the same moment.

This guide explains how the scam works, the newest twists, and exactly what to say when the call comes. For the bigger picture, see our overview of grandparent and family emergency scams.

How does a grandparent scam work?

A grandparent scam is a phone call from someone pretending to be your grandchild, or another close relative, who says they’re in a crisis and need money immediately. The FCC describes the usual stories: an accident, an arrest, or another emergency that needs cash fast.

The script often follows the same steps:

1. The panic call. The “grandchild” may speak softly, cry or blame a broken nose or a bad connection for sounding different. The FTC says scammers often make an excuse for why their voice doesn’t sound right.
2. The authority figure. The caller hands the phone to someone posing as a lawyer, police officer or court official who explains the “bail” or “fees.”
3. The payment instructions. You’re told to withdraw cash, buy gift cards, wire money or send it through a payment app, and to do it right now.

EXAMPLE — SCAM

Today 8:52 PM●●● ▮

Incoming call (617) 555-0128

Caller: Grandpa? It’s me… please don’t be mad. I was in a car accident and the police arrested me. My nose is broken, that’s why I sound weird.

Caller: I need $9,000 for bail tonight. Please don’t tell Mom and Dad. My lawyer will explain — here he is.

Second caller: This is attorney Mark Ellis. Your grandson can be released tonight if bail is paid in cash. A court courier will come to your home to collect it within the hour.

Why do scammers say “don’t tell Mom and Dad”?

Secrecy is what keeps the scam alive. One phone call to your son, daughter or grandchild would end it, so the caller gives you a reason not to make it. The FTC says scammers may claim to be “under a gag order” or say they don’t want their parents to know.

Any emergency that must be kept from the rest of the family is a red flag. A real grandchild in real trouble would want help from everyone who can give it.

What is the courier or “bail bondsman” twist?

Scammers have found that banks and stores sometimes stop people from wiring money or buying piles of gift cards. So many now ask for cash, collected in person. The FTC warns that grandparent scammers have gotten bolder and may come to your door to pick up money, supposedly for your grandchild. Once you hand it over, it’s gone, and you may get more calls asking for even more.

The FBI says in-person cash collection by couriers is now used across many scams, including grandparent scams, law enforcement impersonation and tech support scams. No court, bail bondsman or lawyer sends a stranger to your home to collect cash for a family member. If anyone is on the way, don’t open the door. Call your local police.

What should you say on the phone?

You don’t need to argue or figure out on the spot whether the call is real. Simple, calm lines work best:

• “I’ll call you right back.” Then hang up, even if they beg you not to.
• “What’s our family safe word?” If your family has one, a scammer won’t know it.
• “I don’t send money over the phone.”

Then check the story yourself. The FCC’s advice is to write down the details, hang up and call the relative who is supposed to be in trouble on the number saved in your contacts. If you can’t reach them, call other family members or friends who can.

Don’t trust the voice alone. The FTC explains that scammers can clone a loved one’s voice from a short audio clip, such as a video posted online, using a voice-cloning program. Read more about AI voice and deepfake scams.

How can families prepare?

The best time to stop a grandparent scam is before the phone rings:

• Pick a family safe word and share it only in person or by phone, never online.
• Talk about the scam at the next family gathering. Grandparents who have heard of it are far less likely to fall for it.
• Limit what you post publicly. The FTC suggests checking your social media privacy settings and being careful about personal details you share, even on private accounts.
• Agree on a rule: nobody in the family will ever ask for emergency money in secret, and anyone who gets such a request will call someone else first.

What if you already paid?

Don’t be embarrassed. These scammers are professionals. Act quickly:

1. Call your bank or the company you used to pay right away and ask them to stop or reverse the payment. If you paid with gift cards, the FTC says to contact the gift card company immediately and keep the card and receipt. See gift card scams.
2. Call your local police. The FTC notes that losing money this way is a crime and should be reported to law enforcement.
3. Report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. People 60 and older can also call the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311) for free help with reporting.
4. Watch for couriers. If someone offers to send a courier for cash, see courier scams.
5. Expect more calls. Scammers often come back for more money, or pose as someone offering to recover what you lost.

Our first-hour checklist after a scam covers each payment method, and our guide to reporting a scam call lists every place to report it.