How do I protect my family against the grandparent scam?
Establish a family code word for genuine emergencies, and remind older relatives that no real grandchild or lawyer will ask them to keep an emergency secret from other family members.
Last reviewed: 10 June 2026
Explanation
The grandparent scam involves a caller posing as a grandchild in distress — typically claiming to have been in a car accident, arrested, or hospitalised abroad — and urgently requesting money to resolve the situation. A second caller, posing as a lawyer or police officer, reinforces the request and instructs the grandparent not to tell other family members to avoid embarrassment. The emotional pressure is severe, and older adults often comply before rational scepticism can override the fear for a loved one.
AI voice cloning has made this scam more convincing: a short sample of the grandchild's voice from social media or a voicemail can now be used to generate audio that sounds authentically like them. The caller using this cloned voice adds a layer of apparent credibility that makes the 'hang up and verify' rule harder to follow in the moment.
The most effective prevention is establishing a family code word. The word should be something only family members know — not a publicly known fact, a pet's name that appears on social media, or a common word. In any emergency, the caller provides the code word before any money discussion. If they cannot or will not, the call is not genuine. Make this a pleasant family exercise rather than a solemn warning to avoid generating anxiety.
Tell older relatives these specific facts: (1) real lawyers and police do not instruct clients to keep a legal matter secret from family; (2) real courts accept a variety of payment methods and do not require same-day gift-card bail; (3) no legitimate emergency requires immediate gift-card payment to anyone. If the request involves gift cards, it is a scam without exception.
Common red flags
- Caller identifies as a grandchild in distress but sounds slightly different from usual
- Second caller posing as a lawyer or police officer reinforcing the urgency
- Instruction to keep the matter secret from other family members
- Request for payment via gift card, wire transfer, or cash courier
- Excessive urgency — 'must be resolved today before you talk to anyone'
- Story involves an overseas accident, arrest, or hospitalisation
What to do now
- Establish a secret family code word and share it with older relatives
- Tell relatives that real emergencies allow a five-minute pause to call back on a known number
- Remind them: no court, lawyer, or police officer accepts gift cards
- If the scam is already in progress, find an excuse to pause and call the real grandchild directly
- Report grandparent scam calls to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
- Talk through the scam script with older relatives so they recognise it next time
Frequently asked questions
How does AI voice cloning make grandparent scams harder to spot?
With a short audio sample from social media, scammers can generate audio that mimics a grandchild's voice convincingly. This removes the old tell of 'sounds different from usual.' A code word that the AI cannot know is now the most reliable defence.
What if my relative already sent money via gift cards?
Call the gift card issuer immediately to report fraud and attempt to freeze unredeemed balances. File a report with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and a local police report. Avoid shaming your relative — the emotional manipulation used in these scams is professional-grade.