Have you ever received a frantic call from someone posing as your grandchild? Scammers will call or email grandparents to make urgent requests for bail money, lawyer’s fees, hospital bills, or other fictitious expenses. To make the story seem plausible, the scammer will add details about how, what or where the emergency happened, or tell you that a third person, such as a lawyer, doctor or police officer, will “explain everything to you” if you call him or her. Once the money is sent, the scammers are long gone and the grandparent loses hundreds, even thousands of dollars.
Grandparent Scams
You get a call from your grandson saying he's in trouble and you need to send money immediately. Is it a scam?
Genevieve DeStefano recieved a call from scammers claiming to be her grandson urgently needing help and asking for $9,000. Watch to learn more about this grandparent scam.
Scammers call with frantic stories of loved ones in trouble. Watch to learn more about these fraudulent calls.
Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones From Scams Targeting Senior Citizens
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Verify the story before sending money
Before sending any money, verify the details of the story with the relative that the scam artist is claiming to be or other trusted family members or friends.
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Be suspicious of urgent requests
The scammers’ preferred methods of payment are wire transfers or reloadable prepaid credit cards. Be suspicious of any urgent requests to wire money or provide credit card numbers over the phone.
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Be wary of late night calls
Remember, scammers may call late at night to confuse their potential victims.
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Think before acting
Don’t be quick to act, be quick to think.
Have You Witnessed This Scam?
If you’ve encountered a scam targeting the elderly or have been a victim yourself, and the U.S. Mail® has been used in any way, we want to help. Please report the crime.
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