The Scam Targeting Grandparents That Cost Victims More Than $5 Million Last Year

Grandparents are often quick to help their younger loved ones out of a pinch, and scammers are taking advantage.

Voice cloning, spoofed phone numbers and personal details from social media allow sophisticated scammers to trick older adults into thinking their grandchildren, nieces, nephews and other relatives are in trouble. The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s 2025 Internet Crime Report found that in 2025, victims claimed losses over $5 million to grandparents scams, or "distress" scams. Here’s what you should know to stay safe.

What the 'grandparent scam' is

Scammers can pretend to be your grandchild, but they can also pretend to be a figure of authority and say that your grandchild urgently needs money. They may fake being a police officer, lawyer or hospital worker, with bail, car accidents and medical bills that need to be paid.

Scammers can use artificial intelligence to make the act more convincing by cloning the voices of relatives, and social media often gives them a treasure trove of personal details to use. This technology also makes it easier for scammers to target victims at scale, making it even more important to stay vigilant and aware of these types of impostors.

The red flags families should know

The payment method is a major indicator of a scam. For instance, if an imposter asks that you send funds via gift cards, crypto, wire transfers or payment apps — which are more difficult to refund — be alert. The scammer may also pose as your grandchild and ask that you don’t tell others in the family, which is a major red flag. Bring in another trusted set of eyes to help determine whether you’re being scammed.

A combination of vague details, intense urgency, requests for secrecy and unexpected calls are also signs of a scam. Take some time to pause if you get this type of call. Scammers use fear and urgency to overwhelm victims and prompt them to do what they want.

What to do before sending money — and after a payment is made

If you receive a call and aren’t sure if it is legitimate, it’s often best to hang up immediately and call the grandchild directly. You can also call a family member directly if your grandchild isn’t picking up the phone.

You can also establish a family "safe word" or verification phrase ahead of time. Scammers can sound like your loved ones, but if they don’t know the safe word or verification phrase, you can discover their true intent quickly.

In the event you have already sent money, immediately contact the company you used for the payment method. If you paid with a gift card, call the company if you can get a representative right away. If not, send an email immediately. This also applies to crypto platforms, banks, payment apps or any other company you used to pay the scammer.

Speed matters here, as scammers may rush to use the funds, making it almost impossible to be reimbursed. Even if you do not get your money back, these actions can lead to an investigation that minimizes the scammer’s ability to contact other victims. You can report scams to the Federal Trade Commission via its website: https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/.