The Grandparent Scam is a type of financial scam that typically targets elderly people, usually grandparents. The scam works like this:

Initial Contact: The scammer calls the grandparent, pretending to be one of their grandchildren. They may alter their voice or use a fake name to sound convincing.

Emergency Situation: The scammer will claim that the grandchild is in trouble, often suggesting that they’ve been arrested, in an accident, or need immediate money for some emergency situation (such as medical bills, bail money, or car repairs).

Sense of Urgency: The scammer creates a sense of urgency, saying they need the money quickly and often asking the grandparent to keep the situation a secret from the parents or other family members.

Request for Money: The scammer then asks the grandparent to wire money, send gift cards, or transfer funds to a specific account to help resolve the emergency. They may even provide a “trusted” third-party person (such as a lawyer or bail bondsman) to make the scam seem more legitimate.

Emotional Manipulation: The scammer may try to manipulate the grandparent emotionally by saying things like, “I’m really scared, I don’t know what to do,” or “Please help me, I don’t want to get in trouble.”

In many cases, the grandparent may act quickly, without thinking, to help their grandchild. Unfortunately, by the time they realize it’s a scam, the money is often gone.