The grandparent scam: how it works and how to protect your family
Updated October 14, 2026 · 6 min read
In the grandparent scam, someone phones an older person pretending to be their grandchild. They say they’re in trouble, such as arrested, in a crash or stranded abroad, and ask for money quickly and secretly. Voice-cloning software has made it far more convincing, because the caller can now sound like the real grandchild.
A typical call
The phone rings. A voice says “Grandma, it’s me.” It sounds a bit upset. They say they’ve been in a car accident, or arrested, and need money for bail or a lawyer today. They beg you not to tell their parents. A second person may then call posing as a lawyer, police officer or bail bondsman and tell you how to pay.
Warning signs
- A call out of the blue about an emergency, often late or early.
- “Don’t tell Mom and Dad.”
- Payment by gift cards, wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or cash handed to a courier.
- A request for secrecy and speed, with no time to check.
- The caller won’t answer a question only your grandchild would know.
What to do right now
- Don’t send anything and don’t share bank details.
- Ask for your family’s safe word, or a personal question the scammer can’t search for.
- Hang up and call your grandchild on the number you already have.
- Call their parents or another relative to confirm.
- Report it to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov (US) or your national fraud service.
How families can prepare
The best protection is agreed before the call. Pick a family safe word, talk about the scam, and practise once. A short rehearsal helps more than a warning: when the call comes, there’s already a script to follow.
Countersign lets a grandparent check by text. They text “CHECK” and the grandchild’s name, and the real grandchild gets a request on their own phone. The grandparent doesn’t need to install anything.
Frequently asked questions
What is the grandparent scam?
A scam where someone phones an older person pretending to be their grandchild in an emergency and asks for money, usually secretly and urgently.
How do I know it’s really my grandchild?
Ask for your family safe word, hang up, and call them back on a number you already have. Don’t trust the voice alone.
Can scammers really copy a grandchild’s voice?
Yes, voice-cloning software can imitate a voice from a short recording, which is why a familiar-sounding voice isn’t proof.
How do I report a grandparent scam?
In the US, report at reportfraud.ftc.gov and ic3.gov. Elsewhere, use your national fraud-reporting service, and tell your bank if money was sent.