Pretends to be family
Grandparent scam
Is a call or text from a grandchild or relative who needs money fast a scam?
Very likely yes. Scammers fake names, texts and cloned voices, and may send someone to pick up cash. Hang up and call your relative on a number you know, or use a family code word.
Almost always fake. Stop, then check by calling a number you already have.
Also searched as: grandson in jail, granddaughter in an accident, grandchild needs bail, family emergency call, it's me grandma, bail money courier, call from jail, calls from jail, inmate call, jail call, call from prison, calls from prison, prison call
Draft: we're still checking this page. The quotes below are word for word from their sources.
What to do
On the phone right now?
- Stop. Hang up or close the message. Don't tap anything.
- Check. Call a number you already have, like the one on your card or bill.
- Talk to someone you trust before you pay anyone.
If anyone is in danger right now, call 911.
If you already paid
- Call the company you paid through right away: your bank, card company, gift card company, or the wire or Zelle service. Ask them to stop or reverse the payment.
- Call the Justice Department's National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-372-8311, Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern.
- Report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If it happened online, report it at IC3.gov too.
General information, not legal or financial advice. If you've lost money, contact your bank and report it.
How it works
1 They reach you by
- Phone call
- Text message
- Video call
- Social media
- In person
2 They pretend to be
- A family member
3 They ask for
- Money
- Gift cards
- Wire or Zelle
- Cash or gold by courier
- Secrecy
What it can look like
Example pattern, not a real message
Pretends to be family. What gives it away:
- Pay with gift cards
- A courier picks up cash
- Keep it a secret
What they may say
“don’t tell others in the family”
“send the money now, and don’t tell anyone”
“serious traffic crash that resulted in a death”
“Your grandson is being held in jail. He needs bail money right away”
Warning signs
- They tell you to buy gift cards and read them the numbers. No real agency or company asks to be paid that way.
- They send someone to your home to pick up cash or gold. Real agencies and banks do not collect money that way.
- They tell you not to tell your family or your bank. That keeps you from getting help.
- They push you to send a wire transfer or Zelle payment. That money is very hard to get back.
- They say you must pay right now or something bad will happen. Real organizations give you time to check.
Why we say this
Canadian Man Sentenced to Prison for Participation in “Grandparent Scam”
A man was sentenced to 33 months in prison for helping run a grandparent scam. Scammers sent "bail bondsmen" to collect money from about 20 older Americans. He helped launder that money. Victims lost $256,000.
Conneh participated in the grandparent scam by recruiting “bail bondsmen” to travel to the United States, laundering the money they took from elderly Americans, and distributing the money to co-conspirators.
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If you or someone you know has been a victim of elder fraud, help is standing by at the National Elder Fraud Hotline (833-FRAUD-11).
This hotline is a free resource created by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office for Victims of Crime for people to report fraud against anyone age 60 or older.
What are some common types of fraud and scams? (Grandparent scams)
Someone calls and says they are your grandchild or other relative and need money fast. Scammers may use AI to copy a voice or make a fake photo or video. Always check with the relative on a number you trust.
If you get a call from someone who says they are your grandchild or another relative, and urgently need money to get out of trouble, it could be a scam.
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Artificial intelligence (AI) has made it easy for scammers to clone voices and create incredibly realistic images and video to make it seem like someone you know needs help.
Be careful if a caller insists on secrecy or says they need the money right away. Contact your relative directly using a trusted phone number to verify the story.
If you can’t reach them, try to get in touch with another family member or trusted person, such as one of their friends.
Criminals Using Altered Proof-of-Life Media to Extort Victims in Virtual Kidnapping for Ransom Scams
Greenville police are warning residents about virtual kidnapping, an extortion scam in which callers claim a loved one has been taken and demand immediate payment. The article says the scammers may use AI-imitated voices, social media details, edited images or videos, and caller ID spoofing to make the story seem real.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) warns the public about criminals altering photos found on social media or other publicly available sites to use as fake proof of life photos in virtual kidnapping for ransom scams.
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The criminal actor will then send what appears to be a genuine photo or video of the victim's loved one, which upon close inspection often reveals inaccuracies when compared to confirmed photos of the loved one.
Criminal actors typically will contact their victims through text message claiming they have kidnapped their loved one and demand a ransom be paid for their release.
Two Men Face Federal Charges in Grandparent Scams that Targeted Elderly Victims Across Multiple States
A caller pretending to be a resident's son-in-law claimed he had been arrested after a car accident and needed bail money. Fake attorneys and court representatives then had the resident withdraw $12,000 in cash for a driver to pick up at home, and police stopped the pickup in time.
Grandparent scams often involve an elderly victim receiving a telephone call and being told that a family member, often a grandchild, needs bail because they have been arrested for committing a crime or causing a motor vehicle accident .
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Scammers identify themselves as a family member, an attorney, or a member of law enforcement, and direct victims to obtain cash and give it to a courier who will either arrive to pick up the money, or meet them at a specified drop-off location.
Rhodes was arrested at the house when he allegedly arrived to collect the money; Munoz was arrested while sitting in a car near the home, allegedly waiting the return of Rhodes.
Sixteen People Charged with Conspiracy to Defraud Hundreds of Elderly Americans of Millions of Dollars
Fairfield police stopped a driver two minutes from delivering $12,000 in cash that an elderly man had been pressured to hand over. The scammers posed as his son-in-law in jail after a car crash, plus a lawyer and a court official.
Typically, the victim was told that their grandchild had been in a car accident, was arrested as a result of the accident
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closers,” impersonated defense attorneys, police officers, or court personnel
typically went to the elderly victims’ home to retrieve the cash
FBI Warns of Scammers Targeting Senior Citizens in Grandparent Scams and Demanding Funds by Wire, Mail, or Couriers
The Rhea County Sheriff's Office warns that callers are posing as grandchildren who supposedly were in a serious car crash in Florida and need money for legal fees. The callers push victims to keep the call secret from family and to pay quickly by wire, gift card, payment app, or cryptocurrency.
Scammers instruct victims to maintain secrecy, sometimes referring to a judge-imposed gag order, which, if broken, will result in the grandchild going to jail or incurring more fines.
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poses as the victim's grandchild, who is purportedly in jail after causing an automobile accident.
requests payment for legal fees, bond money, or medical expenses for a purportedly injured person involved in the accident.
FBI Warns of Scammers Targeting Senior Citizens in Grandparent Scams and Demanding Funds by Wire, Mail, or Couriers
A prosecutor warned seniors at a Longmeadow center about the grandparent scam, in which a caller poses as a grandchild who is supposedly in jail and needs bail. The talk also covered romance scams and the warning signs that help seniors spot fraud in calls, texts and emails.
A scammer calls a senior citizen victim and poses as the victim's grandchild, who is purportedly in jail after causing an automobile accident.
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Scammers instruct victims to maintain secrecy, sometimes referring to a judge-imposed gag order, which, if broken, will result in the grandchild going to jail or incurring more fines.
If you receive an unsolicited or suspicious call from someone claiming to be a family member and urgently requesting money, hang up.
FBI Warns of a Grandparent Fraud Scheme Using Couriers
A Montreal man pleaded guilty in a U.S. court to his role in a grandparent scam network that defrauded American seniors. He had posed as a lawyer in calls to older Americans seeking bail money for a relative.
Criminal actors target elderly U.S. citizens in a grandparent fraud scheme in which they arrange for couriers to pick up bail money in person at the victim's residence.
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Criminals telephonically contact their victims and pose as a grandchild, or another family member, in distress who has been arrested and needs bail money.
They may also pose as a representative of the detained relative, such as an attorney or a bail-bondsman.
Criminal actors then send couriers to collect the money in person from the victim's residence.
Scammers Use Fake Emergencies To Steal Your Money
Scammers phone older adults pretending to be a grandchild, or a police officer, lawyer or hospital worker, claiming the grandchild urgently needs money for bail, a crash or medical bills. The FBI counted more than $5 million in losses to these 'distress' scams in 2025, and scammers increasingly clone voices to sound convincing.
Some scammers use artificial intelligence (AI) to clone your loved one’s voice.
Scammers create fake emergencies to get your money
A caller posing as a sheriff's department says a family member is in jail and asks the target to pay bail bond money. The scammers knew the names of both the person called and the relative, which makes the story more believable.
Scammers try to trick you into thinking a loved one is in trouble.
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they may claim to be an authority figure, like a lawyer or police officer; they may have or guess at facts about your loved one.
"Your grandson is being held in jail. He needs bail money right away."
FBI San Diego Warns of a Grandparent Fraud Scheme Using Couriers
A caller pretends to be a grandchild's or child's relative who has been arrested and needs bail, and then adds an attorney and a court official to push for cash. In this Fairfield case, a courier was sent to collect $12,000 from an elderly man's home, and police stopped the pickup two minutes before the money was handed over.
In this "Grandparent Fraud" scheme, senior San Diego residents are being contacted by scammers posing as family members who have been arrested and need bail money.
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A fake attorney is then introduced and will coordinate ride share services to pick up cash in-person for the purpose of bailing the loved one out of jail.
Be suspicious of telephone calls in which the caller requests bail money for a family member in distress and requires you to immediately act. Contact the family member directly for confirmation.
The Grandparent Scam
A Hampden County prosecutor warned older adults at a Longmeadow workshop about the grandparent scam, where a caller pretends to be a grandchild in trouble and asks for bail money. She also covered romance scams and general warning signs such as unexpected messages and requests for personal information.
This is an example of what’s come to be known as “the grandparent scam”
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Usually, the person claims to be traveling in a foreign country and has gotten into a bad situation
Never wire money based on a request made over the phone or in an e-mail
Try to contact your grandchild or another family member to determine whether or not the call is legitimate.
Ohio County advocates warn of scams targeting older adults
Local advocates in Ohio County, Kentucky say scammers are using fake family emergencies and gift card schemes, and some victims have lost their life savings. The article focuses on the grandparent scam, where a caller claims a grandchild is in jail and needs money right away.
“We’ve seen the grandparent scam quite a bit here, and this is where you get called and you’re told your grandson is in jail in Mexico and they need X number of dollars to get him out of jail,” Whittaker said.
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Charlotte Whittaker, a former AARP Kentucky president, said scammers often use fear and family connections to convince seniors to hand over their money.
Whittaker and Phelps said one of the most effective ways to avoid becoming a victim is to talk to someone you trust before sending money, no matter how urgent the person asking makes it seem.
They also recommend setting up a unique password or phrase with those close to you to confirm they are who they say they are.
RHEA COUNTY SHERIFF WARNS RESIDENTS OF ACTIVE "GRANDPARENT" PHONE SCAM
The Rhea County Sheriff's Office warns that callers are posing as grandchildren who supposedly were in a serious car crash in Florida and need money for legal fees. The callers push victims to keep the call secret from family and to pay quickly by wire, gift card, payment app, or cryptocurrency.
Scammers are impersonating grandchildren, falsely claiming they have been in a serious car crash in Florida and urgently need money for legal fees.
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The callers frequently demand that victims keep the situation secret from parents and other family members to prevent independent verification.
The Scam Targeting Grandparents That Cost Victims More Than $5 Million Last Year
Scammers phone older adults pretending to be a grandchild, or a police officer, lawyer or hospital worker, claiming the grandchild urgently needs money for bail, a crash or medical bills. The FBI counted more than $5 million in losses to these 'distress' scams in 2025, and scammers increasingly clone voices to sound convincing.
Scammers can pretend to be your grandchild, but they can also pretend to be a figure of authority and say that your grandchild urgently needs money. They may fake being a police officer, lawyer or hospital worker, with bail, car accidents and medical bills that need to be paid.
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The payment method is a major indicator of a scam. For instance, if an imposter asks that you send funds via gift cards, crypto, wire transfers or payment apps — which are more difficult to refund — be alert.
The scammer may also pose as your grandchild and ask that you don’t tell others in the family, which is a major red flag. Bring in another trusted set of eyes to help determine whether you’re being scammed.
If you receive a call and aren’t sure if it is legitimate, it’s often best to hang up immediately and call the grandchild directly. You can also call a family member directly if your grandchild isn’t picking up the phone.
In the event you have already sent money, immediately contact the company you used for the payment method. If you paid with a gift card, call the company if you can get a representative right away. If not, send an email immediately.
Police Warn Public of Scam in Sequatchie County
A caller posing as a sheriff's department says a family member is in jail and asks the target to pay bail bond money. The scammers knew the names of both the person called and the relative, which makes the story more believable.
The caller advises they are with the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department and that a relative of the person receiving the call is in jail and needing them to contact them at the number provided.
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The scammers had the proper name of the person receiving the call as well as the relative they were advising was incarcerated, so they have information that might entice someone to contact them and fall for the scam.
Please be aware of this scam and notify your loved ones who may be vulnerable to such operation.
The Sequatchie Co. Sheriff’s Office has been made aware of at least one resident receiving a phone call obviously attempting to scam the receiver into sending money for bail bond.
Orlando Man Arrested in Fraud Scheme Targeting New Smyrna Beach Resident
A caller posing as an elderly New Smyrna Beach woman's son said he was in jail after a deadly crash and needed $9,800. Later calls from supposed attorneys and a 'pretrial intervention program' led to a cash pickup, but she called police first and a man was arrested.
According to the New Smyrna Beach Police Department, Ristie contacted the victim saying he was her son and was in a 'serious traffic crash that resulted in a death'. Ristie allegedly told the victim he needed her to send $9,800 so he could get out of jail.
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The calls continued, but the stories were said to have changed. Ristie later reportedly claimed to be an attorney, someone representing a pretrial intervention program, and more.
On the latter of those calls, Ristie was said to have given instructions for withdrawing money and preparing for it to be picked up from the victim's home.
Before giving any money, the victim called the police on Thursday about this series of calls. After getting in touch with law enforcement, Ristie called again and reportedly had an Uber driver come to pick up an envelope of cash.
Hampden DA’s Office Educates Longmeadow Seniors on Scams, Exploitation
A prosecutor warned seniors at a Longmeadow center about the grandparent scam, in which a caller poses as a grandchild who is supposedly in jail and needs bail. The talk also covered romance scams and the warning signs that help seniors spot fraud in calls, texts and emails.
Vivenzio explained that the “grandparent scam” is commonly used by scammers calling and pretending to be that individual’s grandchild, saying they’ve been in an accident, it was their fault, and that they’re in jail and need bail money – sometimes upwards of tens of thousands of dollars.
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In addition to phone calls, Vivenzio said scams most often come in the form of an email or text message.
Some of the “red flags” people can identify when trying to determine if it is a scam is if something is received unexpectedly – such as a bill, checking for misspellings in an email or text, and calling a source directly – like a credit card company – to confirm any information.
She reiterated the importance of never sharing personal information via email, over the phone, or in a text message.
Before the Holidays, Make a Family Plan to Spot Scams
A late-night phone caller claims a grandchild has been arrested and needs money right away, with instructions to keep it secret. The article urges families to agree on a plan to pause, verify with a known number, and talk before sending money.
A late-night caller says a grandchild has been arrested and needs money immediately. The voice sounds distressed. The instructions are urgent: send the money now, and don’t tell anyone.
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Families can start with a simple question: “If someone called saying I was in trouble and needed money, how would you check?” Agree to end the call and contact the person directly using a number already saved or otherwise known to be correct.
If that person cannot be reached, contact another trusted family member. Do not rely on a phone number supplied by the unexpected caller.
If money has been sent or financial information shared, contact the bank or payment provider immediately.
Orlando man arrested in $9,800 scam targeting 76-year-old woman, police say
A 76-year-old New Smyrna Beach woman got a call from someone pretending to be her son, who said he was in a deadly crash and needed $9,800 to get out of jail. She then got calls from fake lawyers and a fake 'pretrial intervention program' representative, and she stopped and called police before handing over the cash.
According to the New Smyrna Beach Police Department, the woman received a call Oct. 29 from someone claiming to be her son. The caller told her he had been involved in a deadly crash and needed $9,800 to get out of jail.
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Police said the woman later received calls from people claiming to be an attorney and a representative of a “pretrial intervention program.” The callers instructed her to withdraw cash, package it and have it picked up from her home.
The woman became suspicious and contacted police before handing over any money.
Police are reminding residents to independently verify unexpected requests for money, particularly when callers claim a family member has been arrested or involved in an emergency.
Police recover $12,000 from phone scam in Fairfield
Fairfield police stopped a driver two minutes from delivering $12,000 in cash that an elderly man had been pressured to hand over. The scammers posed as his son-in-law in jail after a car crash, plus a lawyer and a court official.
The resident received a call from someone pretending to be his son-in-law, claiming he had been arrested after a car accident and needed bail money.
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Additional scammers, posing as an attorney and court representative, instructed the resident to withdraw the cash and arrange for it to be picked up at his home.
Police departments do not send drivers to collect bail money or demand payment over the phone to avoid an arrest.
Police said scammers often create a sense of urgency and fear to pressure victims into acting quickly.
After handing over the money, the resident learned that his son-in-law had not been arrested and immediately contacted police.
Greenville police warn of virtual kidnapping scam
Greenville police are warning residents about virtual kidnapping, an extortion scam in which callers claim a loved one has been taken and demand immediate payment. The article says the scammers may use AI-imitated voices, social media details, edited images or videos, and caller ID spoofing to make the story seem real.
Officers explained that virtual kidnapping is a form of extortion in which scammers use fear, urgency, and emotional manipulation to trick people into sending money for a loved one who may not be in any danger.
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According to the department, scammers may use the following methods:
Police remind residents who receive a scam call to stay calm, not send money, and contact their loved ones directly to verify their safety.
Anyone who believes someone may be in legitimate danger should immediately call law enforcement.
Grandparent scam now using AI; family code word recommended
A criminal copies a grandchild's voice from a short social media clip and phones an older relative with a made-up emergency, such as needing bail. The article says AI cloning tools are cheap and easy to get, so a familiar voice can no longer be trusted on its own.
Criminals can now clone a loved one’s voice and place a call that sounds exactly like a grandchild begging for bail money, and the tools to do it are cheap, easy to find, and increasingly sold as ready-to-use fraud products.
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The scam is relatively simple: a criminal scrapes a short audio clip of a family member’s voice from social media, feeds it into a cloning tool, and calls an elderly relative claiming to be in trouble. The story usually involves an arrest, an accident, or an urgent bill, always paired with pressure to act fast and keep the call secret.
Because the voice sounds real, the usual instinct to verify gets bypassed entirely.
In a recent case reported by Fortune, a mother followed a caller’s instructions for five hours and wired $5,400, never doubting that the terrified voice on the line was her daughter’s. It was a clone.
To protect yourself and your family, Tomas Sinicki, managing director at Coveron, recommends agreeing on a code word with family members and asking for it on any urgent call involving money, hanging up and calling back on a number you already have, and treating urgency and secrecy as the real warning signs, not the voice itself.
Attackers rely on pressure, not perfect audio.
Don’t do it! Police warn scammers stealing money via apps
Local police in the Memphis area warn of phone calls where a caller spoofs a police number and claims a loved one was arrested and needs bail money. A second warning covers callers posing as law enforcement who say the person missed jury duty, has a warrant, or owes fines.
The West Memphis Police Department said it has received multiple reports of scammers spoofing its phone number and calling people to say someone they know has been arrested and needs money for bond.
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These callers demand payment through Cash App and other electronic payment methods.
WMPD said never send money based on these phone calls, or send money through Cash App or other electronic payments and hang up and call police using an official phone number.
DCSO said it will never call and demand payment or require payment through cryptocurrency or payment apps. If you received a call like that hang up immediately.
'I was a fool but I've learned my lesson' | Family loses nearly $2,000 in bail bonds scam
A Louisiana family paid about $1,700 through Venmo after callers posing as a parish jail bond office said the money would bail out their jailed son. The callers kept the family on the phone for hours, added fake ankle-monitor fees, and the money could not be recovered.
You get a call or text message from someone who says they’re with the local jail or sheriff’s office, telling you to send money to bond a family member out of jail.
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Sheriff Spillman encourages people who receive these calls to ignore the urgency and hang up. If you receive such a call, reach out to your local sheriff’s office or police department to report it.
Real law enforcement agencies and courts will never demand payment in any form via email, phone, or digital apps for bail or court fees.
“Iberville Parish—they don’t call you and ask for money from Venmo. You have to go up there and pay it in person,” she said.
Never send money, buy gift cards, or wire funds based on an emailed or texted form.
BBB Scam Alert: Emergency scams instill fear via fake texts, mugshots
Scammers pretend to be a grandchild or other relative in trouble. They claim an arrest or accident and beg for money fast. Some use cloned voices, and some send someone to your door to collect cash. The article was first posted in April 2024 and updated on 2025-08-18.
Often, they will impersonate their targets' loved ones, make up an urgent situation, and plead for help… and money.
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A common version is the "grandparent scam," where the con artist contacts a grandparent claiming to be their grandchild and asking for money.
The scammer may also tell the victim that someone will arrive at your house to pick up the money.
Check out the story with other family and friends, but hang up or close the message and call your loved one directly. Don't call the phone number provided by the caller or caller ID.
If you are told that someone will come to your home to pick up the money, do not answer your door and call the police immediately.