grandparent scam
Family impersonation theft
A grandparent scam is a fraud targeting elderly people, typically by phone, in which the caller pretends to be a grandchild in distress—arrested, hospitalized, or stranded—and urgently needs money.
The scammer may say Grandma, it's me, I'm in trouble and rely on the victim filling in details.
Often a second voice poses as a lawyer or police officer to add pressure and explain why secrecy is essential.
- elderSenior figure of authority
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
- phoneHandheld communication device
- phone callRemote voice conversation
- caller IDDisplays incoming number
area code · sweetheart · impersonator · bail · wire · wire transfer · money order · money · desperate · please help me · grandson · granddaughter · jail · hospital · emergency · victim · lonely · trust
- fraudfraud, swindle, con, deceive, cheat
- phone scamsrobocall, robocalls, vishing, phishing call, phishing calls
- romance scamsromance fraud, catfishing, love bombing, fake profile, fake profiles
grandparent scamidentity theft
Stealing personal data criminally
data breach · phishing · hacking · account takeover · ransomware attack
grandparent scamelder care
Assistance for seniors
fraud prevention · consumer protection · fiduciary responsibility
grandparent, scam, grand, parent, grandparents, grandparenting, parental, parenthood, parents