The Grandparent Scam: How to Protect Your Loved Ones

Imagine getting a frantic phone call from someone claiming to be your grandchild, saying they’re in trouble and need money immediately. Your heart races. They sound just like your grandchild, maybe they even call you "Grandma" or "Grandpa." They say they’ve been arrested, are stuck in a foreign country, or have had an accident and need your help. They beg you not to tell their parents.

Would you help? Many caring grandparents do, and unfortunately, that’s exactly what scammers are counting on.

What Is the Grandparent Scam?

The grandparent scam is a type of fraud where scammers impersonate a grandchild or another family member to trick seniors into sending money. These scams prey on emotions, creating a sense of urgency and fear to manipulate victims.

The scam typically follows this pattern:

1. The Setup: The scammer calls or sends a message pretending to be a grandchild or law enforcement on their behalf.
2. The Emergency: They claim they’re in trouble, arrested, in a car accident, or needing urgent financial help.
3. The Plea: They beg the grandparent not to tell their parents, saying they’re embarrassed or afraid.
4. The Demand: They request immediate payment via wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency, making it difficult to track.

How Do Scammers Make It Sound So Real?

Scammers are skilled at deception. They may:

• Use social media to learn personal details about family members.
• Manipulate caller ID to make the call look legitimate.
• Use emotional distress to pressure quick action before victims can think critically.
• Leverage AI technology to enhance their deception.
• Sometimes, another scammer poses as a lawyer, police officer, or doctor to make the story seem more credible.

How AI Is Making These Scams Harder to Detect

With advancements in artificial intelligence, scammers are becoming even more convincing. AI enables them to:

Clone voices – Using just a short audio clip, scammers can replicate a grandchild’s voice, making their calls sound eerily real.
Create deepfake videos – Some fraudsters use AI-generated videos to impersonate loved ones on video calls.
Personalize scams – AI tools help scammers gather personal details from social media to craft highly convincing and emotionally manipulative messages.
Automate scam calls – AI-powered chatbots can make mass scam calls, increasing the reach and efficiency of these frauds.

These technological advancements make it even more important to be skeptical and verify any unexpected requests for money.

How to Protect Your Grandparents

Awareness is the best defence against scams. Here’s how you can help protect your grandparents from falling victim:

1. Educate Them About the Scam

Make sure your grandparents know this scam exists. Explain that scammers can impersonate family members and use fear tactics to trick them.

2. Set Up a Family Code Word

Establish a secret word or phrase that only family members know. If a grandparent gets a distress call, they can ask for the code to verify the person’s identity.

3. Encourage Verification Before Sending Money

Remind your grandparents to pause before reacting to an urgent request. They should:

• Hang up and call the real family member directly.
• Contact another relative to confirm the situation.
• Never send money or gift cards without verifying the story first.

4. Be Wary of Unusual Payment Requests

Scammers often ask for payments through:

• Wire transfers (Western Union, MoneyGram)
• Gift cards (Amazon, Google Play, iTunes)
• Cryptocurrency (Bitcoin, etc.)

Legitimate requests from real family members won’t involve these payment methods.

5. Use Caller ID and Screen Calls

Encourage grandparents to let unknown numbers go to voicemail. If a caller claims to be family but the number is unfamiliar, they should verify before responding.

6. Report Any Scam Attempts

If your grandparents receive a suspicious call, they should:

1. Hang up immediately.
2. Report it to Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC). Reporting scams helps authorities track fraudulent activities and protect others from falling victim. Additionally, informing local law enforcement can aid in investigations and potential prosecutions.
   ‍Online: Visit the CAFC's official website at www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca and follow the instructions to report fraud.
   ‍By Phone: Call the CAFC toll-free at 1-888-495-8501‍‍
3. ‍Inform local authorities and banks if money was sent.

Final Thoughts

The grandparent scam is heartbreaking, but knowledge is power. By spreading awareness, setting up safeguards, and encouraging skepticism, you can help protect your grandparents from falling victim. With AI making scams more sophisticated, it’s more important than ever to stay vigilant. Remind them that if they ever receive a distress call, the best response is to stay calm, verify, and never send money without confirming the truth.

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