Grandparent scams, a type of social engineering scheme that preys on the love and concern of grandparents for their grandchildren, have been around for years. However, as technology advances and fraudsters become more sophisticated, these scams are becoming increasingly prevalent and complex. In 2024, it is crucial for grandparents and their families to be aware of the latest tactics used by scammers and take steps to protect themselves from financial loss and emotional distress.
The Heart of the Scam
At the core of grandparent scams is the exploitation of the deep bond between grandparents and their grandchildren. Scammers typically target elderly individuals, often those who are more tech-savvy than their age might suggest. They often impersonate the grandchildren, claiming to be in trouble or in need of immediate financial assistance. They may use emotional language and urgency to pressure the grandparents into sending money without verifying the authenticity of the request.
Here are some of the most common grandchildren tactics that grandparent scammers use in 2024:
- Grandchild in Jail Scam: Scammers will call or text the grandparent claiming that their grandchild has been arrested and needs bail money. They will often use urgent language and pressure the grandparent to send money quickly. To make the scam more believable, they may provide the grandchild’s name, date of birth, and the name of the jail.
- Grandchild in an Accident or Hospital Scam: Scammers will call or text the grandparent claiming that their grandchild has been in an accident or is in the hospital and needs money for medical expenses. They will often use emotional language and play on the grandparent’s love for their grandchild to make them more likely to send money without question.
- Grandchild’s Online Identity Scam: Scammers will create fake social media profiles or email accounts that look like they belong to the grandparent’s grandchild. They will then use these accounts to send messages to the grandparent asking for money or personal information. To make the scam more believable, they may use the grandchild’s real name, photos, and friends.
- Grandchild’s Travel Scam: Scammers will call or text the grandparent claiming that their grandchild is stranded overseas and needs money to get home. They will often use urgent language and pressure the grandparent to send money quickly. To make the scam more believable, they may provide the grandchild’s name, date of birth, and passport number.
- Grandparent’s Own Identity Scam: Scammers will call or text the grandparent claiming that their identity has been stolen and they need money to resolve the issue. They will often use urgent language and pressure the grandparent to send money quickly. To make the scam more believable, they may provide the grandparent’s personal information, such as their Social Security number or bank account details.
Evolving Tactics in 2024
As technology evolves, so do the methods employed by grandparent scammers. In 2024, fraudsters are increasingly using social media, email, and even fake websites to spread their scams. They may create fake profiles on social media platforms, mimicking the look and style of their target grandchildren’s accounts. They may also send emails that appear to be from real organizations, such as banks or law enforcement agencies, to add credibility to their deception.
Here are five of the most common evolving tactics used by grandparent scammers in 2024:
- Fake social media profiles: Scammers are creating fake social media profiles that look like they belong to the grandchildren. They may use the grandchild’s name, photo, and friends list to make the profile look authentic. The scammer will then send a message to the grandparent, asking for money or help.
- Fake emails from banks or law enforcement: Scammers are sending emails that appear to be from banks or law enforcement agencies. The emails may say that the grandchild has been arrested or is in trouble and needs money to bail them out. The emails may also contain links that, when clicked, will take the grandparent to a fake website that looks like it belongs to the bank or law enforcement agency.
- Spoofed phone numbers: Scammers are using technology to spoof their phone numbers so that they appear to be calling from the grandchild’s phone number. This makes it more difficult for the grandparent to verify the identity of the caller.
- Pretexting scams: Scammers may call the grandparent and pretend to be a friend, neighbor, or even a government official. They may say that they need the grandparent’s help with something, such as paying a bill or wiring money. The scammer may also use emotional language to pressure the grandparent into sending money.
- Romance scams: Scammers may create fake profiles on dating websites and apps. They will then target older adults and build relationships with them. Once the scammer has gained the trust of the older adult, they will ask for money or help.
Protecting Yourself from Grandparent Scams
To protect yourself and your loved ones from grandparent scams, there are several important steps you can take:
- Hang up and don’t panic. If you receive a call from someone claiming to be your grandchild in distress, don’t panic or rush to judgment. The caller may be a scammer trying to trick you into sending money or revealing personal information. The best thing to do is hang up immediately and call your grandchild directly using a phone number you know is safe.
- Verify the caller’s identity. Even if the caller sounds convincing, don’t assume they are who they say they are. Ask the caller for a specific detail that only your grandchild would know, such as their pet’s name or a family secret. If they can’t provide this information, it’s likely a scam.
- Never wire money or make payments without confirmation. Scammers often ask for money to be wired or sent through gift cards, as these transactions are difficult to trace. Never send money to someone you haven’t spoken to in person and don’t agree to wire money or make payments without confirming the legitimacy of the request.
- Be wary of unsolicited requests. Scammers may try to trick you into revealing personal information or sending money by sending unsolicited emails or text messages. Never provide personal information, such as Social Security numbers or bank account details, to anyone you don’t know and trust.
- Educate yourself and your family. The more you know about grandparent scams, the better equipped you’ll be to spot them. Talk to your family about the different types of scams and how to avoid them. Encourage everyone to use caution when receiving calls or messages from unknown senders.
- Take control of your personal information. Monitor your credit reports regularly and watch for any suspicious activity. Be careful about what information you share on social media, as scammers can use this information to target you.
- Install security software on your devices. Use a reputable antivirus and anti-malware program to protect your computer and mobile devices from malware that could be used to steal your personal information.
- Beware of social engineering tactics. Scammers may try to trick you into revealing personal information or clicking on malicious links by posing as a trusted source, such as your bank or a government agency. Always be cautious when clicking on links in emails or text messages, and never provide personal information to someone you don’t know over the phone.
- Report scams to the authorities. If you think you’ve been scammed, report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/ or your local law enforcement agency. Reporting scams helps law enforcement agencies track down scammers and bring them to justice.
- Talk to your financial institution. If you’ve been scammed, contact your financial institution immediately to report the incident and block any unauthorized transactions. They may be able to help you recover your lost funds.
Reporting Scams and Seeking Help
If you suspect that you or a loved one has been a victim of a grandparent scam, it is important to take action immediately. Report the scam to the appropriate authorities, such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or your local law enforcement agency. Additionally, contact your financial institutions to block any unauthorized transactions and report the scam to your credit bureaus to protect your credit. Here are the steps you can take:
- Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). You can do this online at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/ or by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). Reporting the scam helps the FTC track down scammers and bring them to justice.
- Contact your financial institution. If you have been scammed out of money, contact your bank or credit card company immediately to report the unauthorized transaction. They may be able to help you recover your lost funds.
- File a police report. Even if you have not been financially harmed, it is still a good idea to file a police report. This can help law enforcement track down the scammers and build a case against them.
- Contact the local Better Business Bureau. The BBB can provide you with information about the scam and help you resolve any disputes with the company that you believe scammed you.
- Talk to your family and friends. Let your loved ones know that you have been scammed so that they can be on the lookout for similar scams. You can also share information about the scam with them so that they can protect themselves from being scammed.
Here are some additional resources that can help you protect yourself from grandparent scams:
- https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/
- https://www.fcc.gov/grandparent-scams-get-more-sophisticated
- https://www.cbsnews.com/news/what-being-targeted-by-grandparent-scam-sounds-like-60-minutes/
Remember, you are not alone. Grandparent scams are a common type of fraud, and there are people who can help you. By taking steps to protect yourself and reporting scams, you can help to prevent other people from falling victim to these schemes.
Prevention is Key
The best defense against grandparent scams is prevention. By being informed, vigilant, and sharing information with your loved ones, you can help protect yourself and your family from these manipulative schemes. By educating ourselves and our communities, we can make it more difficult for scammers to exploit the trust and love between grandparents and their grandchildren.
