My husband’s parents got a frantic call from their granddaughter. She had been arrested after a traffic stop and was in jail. She needed money for bail and was afraid she’d get in trouble if she called her parents. Of course, her grandparents would help with the money! The only problem? That wasn’t their granddaughter on the phone.

How the Grandparents Scam Works

It’s known as the “Grandparents Scam” and starts with a phone call and a young person sounding worried, with a story about needing money. They may be in jail or traveling and stuck in a foreign country. They might have been in an accident, or their wallet was stolen. The stories change but they all have one common feature- the person needs cash immediately.

They may already have some personal details but use the conversation to fish for more details and then adapt to the situation.

They may not have the grandchild’s name, but then the person answering the phone will probably ask if it is them, by name. Then they say yes and add that their parents must not know anything about this. They need help, but you need to keep it a secret.

They let you know a friend is helping them, and they will come to your house to pick up the money and then get it to them.

To me, this sounds unbelievable, but to my in-laws it was real enough that they went to the ATM and withdrew thousands of dollars to give to a stranger.

They got so far as the person coming to the door before they started to wonder if something was fishy. They kept thinking it didn’t really sound like their granddaughter on the phone, but then maybe it was just a bad connection.

After finally calling the parents and finding out their granddaughter was still safe at college and definitely not in jail, they called the police. The person at the door was gone by the time they got there, but at least they weren’t leaving with any money.

Watch Out for Scams Targeting Seniors

Scammers often target seniors due to perceived vulnerability, access to retirement savings, and sometimes limited familiarity with newer technologies.

The Grandparents Scam is just one of the many scams targeting seniors. Below are some of the other scams to watch out for:

1. Medicare/Health Insurance Scams: Scammers pose as Medicare representatives or insurance agents, offering free medical services or products in exchange for personal information like Medicare numbers. They may bill Medicare for services never rendered.
2. Sweepstakes/Lottery Scams: Seniors are told they’ve won a prize but must pay fees or taxes upfront to claim it. The prize doesn’t exist, and the scammers disappear once they receive the money.
3. Tech Support Scams: Seniors receive a call or a pop-up message on their computer claiming to be from a tech support company like Microsoft. They’re told their computer has a virus and must pay for tech support or software to fix it, granting scammers access to their device and personal information.
4. Romance Scams: Scammers create fake profiles on dating sites and build relationships with seniors to gain their trust. Eventually, they ask for money for various reasons like medical emergencies or travel expenses, then disappear once they receive it.
5. Investment Scams: Seniors are offered fraudulent investment opportunities promising high returns with low risk. These could involve fake real estate deals, pyramid schemes, or phony stocks.
6. Charity Scams: Scammers impersonate legitimate charities, especially after natural disasters or during holiday seasons, requesting donations. They pocket the money without helping those in need.
7. Home Improvement Scams: Fraudulent contractors target seniors for unnecessary or shoddy home repairs. They often demand upfront payment and disappear without completing the work or use substandard materials.
8. Identity Theft: Seniors may fall victim to identity theft through various means like phishing emails, where scammers pose as legitimate companies to obtain personal information.
9. Funeral/Cemetery Scams: Scammers exploit grieving seniors by selling unnecessary funeral products or services at inflated prices or by pressuring them to pre-pay for services.

It’s important for seniors to stay informed about these scams and to be cautious when sharing personal or financial information, especially over the phone or online. Encouraging open communication and providing education about common scams can also help protect them from falling victim.