The call comes in the middle of the afternoon. "Grandma, it's me. I'm in trouble." They then say they need your help because there was an accident or maybe they have been arrested. You’re asked to quickly send money to get them out of trouble. This call could potentially be a "Grandparent Scam."
The Grandparent Scam preys on seniors’ generosity, trust, and love for their families. Unfortunately, this scam has seen a rise, with the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre reporting $9.2 million in reported losses across Canada in 2022. New technology and access to social media are making it easier for criminals to make these scams even more believable.
How the Grandparent Scam Works
Understanding how these scammers operate is the first step towards stopping them in their tracks. The Grandparent Scam typically follows a predictable pattern.
Making Initial Contact
Scammers call seniors, typically during daytime hours when they're likely to be alone. They open with a vague greeting like "Hi Grandpa, do you know who this is?" – prompting the senior to volunteer a name, like "Is that you, Jeremy?".
They may sound a little different, but that’s because they have a poor connection, an injury making their voice appear off, or they have a cold. These are common excuses for why the voice doesn't sound quite right.
They Create a Crisis Scenario
Once they have a name, the scammer claims to be in an emergency requiring immediate financial assistance. Common scenarios include:
- A car accident
- Arrest and need for bail money
- Medical emergencies
- Being stranded while travelling
- Legal troubles requiring attorney fees
The Urgency Factor
The scammer pushes you to send money right away, claiming it’s the only way to avoid terrible consequences. This kind of pressure makes you feel panicked and that you must act fast. The combination of concern for your family member and the time crunch has your emotions overriding your rational thoughts. You need to take a step back and think things through instead of rushing into a scam.
They Request You Keep It Secret
Your supposed grandchild insists that it’s important for you to keep it a secret between you and them. They claim to be embarrassed or don’t want to get in trouble with their parents. In reality, you can’t confirm their story, and you aren’t able to double-check with someone before you send the money off.
Unusual Payment Methods
They tell you the payment has to come through wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrencies. They may even tell you that a courier will pick up the money. These payment methods and instructions make it difficult for the scammer to be tracked. You should be aware that legitimate organizations, lawyers and the police will never request payments of this type.
Red Flags to Watch For
Protecting yourself and your loved ones starts with recognizing the warning signs of a Grandparent Scam. Be on the alert for these common red flags:
-
Urgent requests for money
-
Unusual payment methods
-
Insistence on secrecy: "Don't tell Mom and Dad"
-
Poor connection and audio quality disguise voice differences and create confusion
-
Resists requests to call back at a known number or speak with others involved
-
Unable to answer specific personal questions your family would know
Technology is Making the Scam More Believable
Scammers often research their targets beforehand. They gather information from social media and public records to make their stories more convincing. They can see posts you make about your grandchild’s recent graduation from high school or family photos tagging all your family members. That is why it is important to be careful about what you share online. It is even a good practice to make your social media profile private so only your friends can view your posts.
But scammers go beyond just finding your family’s names online. They can take recordings of your family’s voices if there’s a video or audio and use AI to mimic their voices.
Prevention Strategies for Families
Taking proactive steps can dramatically reduce the risk of falling victim to these scams. It is important for your whole family to be aware of these scams and to work together.
Implement a "Call-Back" Protocol
Agree as a family that you will not send money without first ending the call and calling back on the person's known number. Legitimate emergencies can almost always wait for this step.
Limit Personal Information Online
Review privacy settings on social media accounts, including yours and your whole family’s. Information like vacation plans, family relationships, and personal details are gold mines for scammers to build believable stories.
Consider Technology Solutions
Call-blocking technology, caller ID services, and verification apps can provide additional layers of protection.
Discuss the Scam with Your Family
Make the Grandparent Scam and other scams a topic of regular family discussion. Awareness is a powerful preventative tool.
Establish a Family Code Word
Create a simple word or phrase that family members can use during emergency calls. If the caller doesn't know the code word, it's a clear indication something is wrong.
Similar to a code word, prepare questions that only actual family members would know the answers to, such as childhood memories or family traditions, rather than easily researched information like birthdates.
What to Do If You've Been Targeted
Taking immediate action is crucial if you suspect you've been the victim of a Grandparent Scam.
End the Conversation
End the call as soon as you suspect something is wrong. Continuing the conversation only gives the scammer more opportunities to manipulate you.
Verify the Request
Call your family member directly using their known phone number – not a number provided by the caller. If you can't reach them, contact other family members who might know their whereabouts.
Document Everything
Keep notes about the call, including the time, what was said, and any suspicious details. This information can be valuable to investigators.
Explore Financial Recovery Options
If you've sent money, contact your financial institution immediately. While recovering your money is difficult with some payment methods, being quick to take action can sometimes stop or reverse transactions.
Report to Authorities
You can report the scam to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and your local police detachment. Every report helps build a more complete picture of scam activities in Alberta. Be prepared to provide:
- The phone number that called you
- Details of the conversation
- Any information about requested payment methods
- Times and dates of contact
The Grandparent Scam is one of the most emotionally manipulative fraud schemes. By exploiting the concern grandparents have for their grandchildren, these scammers cause not only financial damage but emotional trauma as well.
Staying safe starts with awareness and continues with open family communication. All families should discuss this scam openly, establish verification protocols, and remember that checking facts is not a lack of trust in your family – it's to keep you safe.
And if you've been targeted by a Grandparent Scam, report it regardless of whether you lost money. Each report helps authorities track patterns and ultimately bring scammers to justice.
April 02, 2025