SCARS™ Anti-Scam FAQ: Grandparent Scam

 
This scam has been around and has seen an increase in activity of late. Depending on who answers the phone call, the person on the other line will say, “Hi, Grandpa” or “Hi, Grandma” pretending to be the grandson or granddaughter of the older victim. The scammer then tells them a story that ends with, “I need money right away to… (insert issue here—pay my traffic ticket, post bail, pay for an ambulance).”
 
All of this is said without providing too many details. If pushed, the scammers will say things like “please don’t tell Mom or Dad” or “My nose is broken, so I may sound strange.” Victims can end up wiring money to the scammers as a result. Read more here about other senior scams.