Who: The FTC collects reports of family emergency and grandparent scams.
When to use: Use when someone pretended to be a relative to get money.
What to prepare:
- What they said
- Phone number
- Amount if sent
Go to FTC ReportFraud~5 min
Category: Impersonation
Family emergency & grandparent scams
How it often plays out
A sobbing voice tells Helen, “Grandma, it’s me—I’m in jail in Mexico and I need bail money right now. Don’t tell Mom.” She wires $5,000. When she calls her grandson’s real number, he’s at home and fine. Scammers target older adults with urgent “family emergency” calls and pressure them to send money before they can verify.
How to spot it
Common red flags: pressure to act immediately, requests for payment by gift card or wire, offers that seem too good to be true, or unsolicited requests for your personal or financial details.
Do's and don'ts
Do
- Verify with the real family member by calling back on a number you already have.
- Note the caller's number and what they said.
- Report to the FTC and your local police or IC3 if you lost money.
Don't
- Send money until you have verified with the real family member.
- Believe that a relative needs you to keep the request secret.
- Use the phone number the caller gives you to "verify."
Summary & what to do
A caller pretends to be a grandchild or relative in trouble and asks for money urgently—often by wire or gift cards. Verify with family through a known number before sending anything.
What to do right now
- Do not send money until you have verified with the real family member (call back on a number you know).
- Note the caller's number and what they said. Real family will not pressure you to keep it secret.
- Report to the FTC and your local police or IC3 if you lost money.
Where to report
Who: The FBI's IC3 handles elder fraud and impersonation.
When to use: Use when you lost money in this type of scam.
What to prepare:
- How they contacted you
- Amount lost
Go to IC3~10 min