Before contacting a grandparent, scammers gather information about the grandchild through social media or the dark web to gain a better understanding of the family. This profiling helps them build a more convincing story, increasing their chances of gaining the grandparent’s trust. 

Scammers call the grandparents and say something like, “Hey, Grandma! It’s me.” Usually, after this, the grandparent will most likely say the grandchild’s name, allowing the scammers to proceed with the scam.

Nowadays, scammers are using AI to mimic the exact voice of a victim’s grandchildren or other relatives by extracting voice clips from social media. This makes it extremely difficult to distinguish between a real call and a fake one.

Scammers carefully plan the timing and craft fear-inducing stories to deceive grandparents by manipulating their voices . They often claim to be in an accident, in legal trouble, or that they are held against their will. To sound convincing, they may speak in a low voice, sob, or blame a bad connection for any changes in their tone. These calls might come late at night when elderly individuals are more vulnerable and less alert. 

Bad actors manipulate their victims by begging them to keep everything secret, falsely stating that they are ashamed of what has happened or that they will face serious consequences if the information is revealed. This isolation tactic increases emotional distress, making it harder for grandparents to think rationally and verify the caller’s identity.

To make it look legitimate, scammers often introduce a third character in the call which would be an authority figure trying to  continue to use scare tactics to ultimately ask for huge payments whether in the name of hospital bills, ransom or legal fees.

After innocent grandparents are convinced, they are asked to pay through gift cards, wire transfers, or, in some cases, even hand over the money in person.

It is a good practice to ask the caller to identify themselves before continuing the conversation—even if the call appears to come from a known number. Scammers can spoof numbers, making it seem like the call is from someone you trust. Always verify that the person you are speaking with is truly who they claim to be.

Whether it’s your actual grandchild or a scammer, it’s important to stay calm and think. Did the caller say their name, or did they make you say it? To verify their identity, try asking a question only you and your real grandchild would know the answer to. Do not make any urgent payments.

Regardless of what the 'grandchild' says, inform their parents or other trusted relatives. It's safer if they are aware of the situation, and it also helps ensure you aren’t getting scammed.

Never share your bank details, address, ID, or passwords. Scammers can use this information to hack into your bank or social media accounts. 

Create a safe word or phrase for your family members and practice using it regularly. If you ever receive a distressing call, ask for the safe word to verify the caller’s identity before taking any action. This simple step can help protect you from scams.

Be extra cautious if someone requests immediate payment through wire transfers, gift cards, or cash. Scammers often use these methods because they are difficult to trace and recover.

To reduce the risk of being targeted by scammers, keep your social media accounts private. Limiting access to your personal information makes it harder for scammers to gather details they can use to deceive you. 

In today’s world where scammers are becoming more sophisticated, you need reliable technology to stay protected. The Truecaller app helps you identify unknown callers and block spammers and scammers. With the Premium Family Plan, you can extend this protection to four members of your household and enjoy advanced features like AI call scanner, and advanced spam blocking.