What to do if someone calls pretending to be your child (or grandchild)
Updated October 14, 2026 · 4 min read
If a call, voice message or text claims to be your child or grandchild and asks for money, do this in order. It takes about a minute, and it works whether or not the voice sounds right.
Do these in order
- Don’t send anything. No money, gift cards, crypto, or bank details. Not even “just this once”.
- Ask for the family safe word. If you don’t have one, ask a question only the real person would know that isn’t on social media.
- Hang up. You’re allowed to, even mid-sentence. Real emergencies survive a ten-minute check.
- Call your child back on their saved number, or call another relative or their partner or friends to find out where they are.
- With Countersign: tap the red button, and the real person gets a request on their own phone and answers with Face ID. You’ll see “Countersigned” or “Return to sender”.
- Write down the number and what they said, then report it.
What the scammer will say
- “Don’t tell your father/mother.”
- “I lost my phone, this is a friend’s.”
- “I’m in jail/hospital and I need money for bail/treatment.”
- “A lawyer or courier will call you.”
- “There’s no time.”
Every one of those is designed to stop you checking.
Where to report it
- United States: reportfraud.ftc.gov and the FBI’s ic3.gov.
- United Kingdom: Action Fraud, and forward scam texts to 7726.
- Australia: Scamwatch (scamwatch.gov.au).
- Anywhere: your bank, your phone carrier, and the police.
Afterwards
Talk to the rest of the family so everyone knows the scam exists, agree a family safe word, and consider a practice run so it’s automatic next time.
Frequently asked questions
What should I do if I think a call from my child is fake?
Don’t send money, ask for the family safe word, hang up, and call your child back on their saved number or check with another relative.
Is it okay to hang up on someone who says they’re my child?
Yes. If it’s really them, they’ll understand and you can call straight back on their saved number.
What if I already sent money?
Contact your bank immediately to try to recall or flag the payment, then report to the police and your national fraud service.