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The "Grandma, I'm in trouble" phone scam: what to do
The phone rings. A young voice says, "Grandma, it's me. I'm in trouble, please don't tell Mom." It might be a scammer. The FTC says scammers can even use AI to copy a loved one's voice. Here's what to do.
Checked against official help pages on October 22, 2026.
Quick answers
What is the grandparent scam?
Someone pretends to be your grandchild, or a lawyer or police officer helping them, and says they need money right away to get out of trouble.
How can I tell if it's really my grandchild?
Hang up and call your grandchild on the number you already have. Or call another family member. The FTC says don't trust the voice, even if it sounds just like them.
They asked for gift cards or a wire transfer. Is that a scam?
Yes. The FTC says these scammers ask you to pay by wire, cryptocurrency, payment app or gift cards, because that money is hard to get back.
I already sent money. What now?
Act fast. Contact the company you used to pay (your bank, the gift card company or the wire service), then report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
The warning signs
- It's urgent. You're the only one who can help, and it has to be now.
- It's a secret. "Don't tell Mom and Dad." Scammers don't want you checking with family.
- An "official" gets on the line. A fake lawyer, police officer or doctor makes it sound real.
- Odd ways to pay. Gift cards, wire transfer, cryptocurrency, a payment app, or someone coming to collect cash.
- They know things. Names and details can come from social media. The FTC says sometimes they just guess.
What to do if you get this call
- Slow down. Don't send anything yet, no matter how upset they sound.
- Hang up, or say you'll call right back.
- Call your grandchild on the number you already have saved, not a number the caller gives you.
- Call someone else in the family, even if you were told to keep it secret.
- If you can't hang up, ask a question only the real person would know, like the dog's name.
Set up a family code word now. AARP and the FCC suggest agreeing on a word or question that only your family knows, to check any emergency call.
Report it
Report the call at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to your state attorney general, as the FTC suggests. If you lost money, also tell your bank right away.
Where this comes from
We checked these official pages on October 22, 2026:
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