The short answer: Scammers can now copy a grandchild's voice from a short audio clip and use it in a fake emergency call. The voice may sound exactly right, so do not trust it. Hang up, call your loved one on a number you already know, and never pay with gift cards, wire transfers, crypto or cash handed to a stranger. Set up a family code word now, before anyone needs it.
How the "Grandparent Scam" Works
The phone rings. A voice that sounds like your grandchild says, "Grandma, I'm in trouble." It might be a car accident, an arrest or even a kidnapping. The caller begs you to keep it secret and to send money right now.
Often a second person joins the call. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) says scammers may pose as a lawyer, a police officer or a doctor to make the story sound real. Read the FTC's advice on fake family emergencies.
Scammers want payment that is hard to undo. That usually means:
- Wire transfers
- Cryptocurrency, including crypto ATMs
- Payment apps
- Gift cards, where you read the numbers over the phone
- Cash picked up at your door by a "courier"
The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) has warned that couriers, and sometimes ride-share drivers, collect "bail money" from victims' homes. A June 2026 FBI alert says in-person cash pickups are also used in grandparent scams. Never hand cash to someone who comes to your door for a "family emergency."
How AI Voice Cloning Makes It Harder to Spot
Voice cloning is software that learns to copy how a person sounds. The FTC says a scammer needs only a short audio clip, which can come from videos posted online. A birthday video or a social media post can be enough.
The FBI's 2025 annual report names this the "distress" scam. It says victims reported over $5 million in losses to it in 2025, and that scammers are copying other relatives and close friends too. Those are only the losses people reported.
The Florida Attorney General's office adds a key point. Even if the caller sounds exactly like your grandchild, it may still be a fake voice. Scammers can also fake caller ID so the call looks like it comes from your grandchild, the police or a hospital. See the office's Grandparent Grifts guide.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has ruled that AI-generated voices in robocalls are covered by federal robocall law. Criminals ignore the law, though, so your own habits are your best protection.
Florida Seniors Are a Big Target
The FBI's 2025 report counted 17,147 complaints from Floridians age 60 and older. Only California had more. Those Florida victims reported losses of about $709.8 million, second only to California. See the 2025 IC3 report. These numbers cover all kinds of fraud, not just grandparent scams.
Red Flags
- The caller says "don't tell Mom and Dad" or "don't tell anyone."
- You must act right now.
- The "grandchild" sounds upset and cannot answer a simple personal question.
- A lawyer, officer or "bail bondsman" takes over the call.
- You are told to buy gift cards, use a crypto ATM, wire money or give cash to a courier.
- You are told to stay on the line while you do it.
Real police and government officials do not demand gift cards, crypto or cash pickups. The FBI says they will never ask for payment by prepaid card, cryptocurrency or courier.
Set Up a Family Code Word
The FBI recommends that families agree on a secret word or phrase to confirm who is calling. Here is how to do it well:
- Pick a word or phrase only your family knows. Avoid pet names, birthdays and anything posted online.
- Choose something odd and easy to remember, like "purple pelican breakfast."
- Tell every family member in person or by phone, including teens and adult grandchildren. Do not send it in a text or post it.
- Make a rule: if someone calls with an emergency and asks for money, they must say the word.
- Practice once. Call each other and ask for the word, so it feels normal.
- Change it if you think anyone outside the family learned it.
This is a good project before a holiday gathering, when the family is together. A code word helps, but it is not the only step. If a caller cannot give the word, hang up. If the caller does give it, still follow the steps below before sending anything.
How to Check a Scary Call
- Hang up. Do not worry about being rude. If you cannot hang up, ask a question only the real person would know.
- Call your loved one on the number saved in your phone. Do not use a number the caller gave you.
- Call someone else in the family, even if the caller said to keep it secret. The FTC says to do this, especially if you cannot reach the person.
- Check the jail list. If the caller says your grandchild is locked up, look up your county sheriff's office website yourself and use its inmate search. Do not use a link or number from the caller. A new arrest may not show up right away, so if you cannot tell, call the sheriff's non-emergency number that you looked up.
- If someone says your loved one was kidnapped, hang up and call local law enforcement. The Attorney General's office gives this same advice.
- Never meet a courier. The FBI says not to share your address or agree to hand cash to strangers.
Keep Family Social Media Private
Scammers use what families post. The Attorney General's office warns that they use details from relatives' social media to sound believable. The FBI suggests limiting how much of your voice and image is online, using private accounts and accepting only people you know.
- Set family accounts to private.
- Think twice before posting videos of grandchildren talking.
- Do not post travel dates while you are away. Share photos after you return.
- Remove names of relatives and "Grandma" tags from public profiles.
- For more tips on staying safe online, read our guide to technology and senior independence.
If You Already Paid
Act fast. The sooner you call, the better your chances. The FTC lists steps by payment type on its what to do if you were scammed page:
- Bank, card or payment app: Call right away, say you were scammed and ask to reverse the payment.
- Wire transfer: Contact the wire company, such as Western Union or MoneyGram, and ask for a refund.
- Gift cards: Call the card company using the number on the back. Keep the cards and receipts.
- Crypto or crypto ATM: Contact the exchange or ATM company and report the fraud.
- Cash sent by mail: Call the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 1-877-876-2455.
- Report it: File with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, the FBI at ic3.gov, and the Florida Attorney General at 1-866-9NO-SCAM (1-866-966-7226). Tell local police too, especially if a courier came to your home.
- Gave your Social Security number? Go to IdentityTheft.gov.
Do not feel ashamed. These scams are built by professionals to fool smart people. If your loved one was being targeted or you suspect a caregiver or family member is taking advantage of you, see how to report elder abuse in Florida.
Get Florida Scam Alerts
Operation Senior Shield is a free alert system run by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs with the Lieutenant Governor's office. You can sign up for alerts about new scams in Florida. The Attorney General also posts consumer alerts on its website. To learn about other common traps, read our scam alert on tech support and Medicare scams.
Where to Get Free Help
- Florida Attorney General (report a scam): 1-866-9NO-SCAM (1-866-966-7226), or file a complaint at MyFloridaLegal.com.
- National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311), run by the U.S. Department of Justice. It is open Monday to Friday, 10 AM to 6 PM Eastern, and is free. Staff can help you report fraud. See the hotline details. Never give money or a Social Security number to someone who calls claiming to be from the hotline.
- Florida Elder Helpline: 1-800-96-ELDER (1-800-963-5337) connects you to local aging services.
- FTC: ReportFraud.ftc.gov
- FBI IC3: ic3.gov
- Free legal help: See our guide to free legal help for Florida seniors.
Quick Checklist
- Pick a family code word this week.
- Save your family's real phone numbers in your phone.
- Set your family's social media accounts to private.
- Sign up for Operation Senior Shield alerts.
- Remember: hang up, call back, never pay in gift cards, crypto, wire or cash.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, financial, or legal advice. Readers should consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical concerns, a financial advisor for financial planning, and an attorney for legal matters. The resources and programs mentioned are subject to eligibility requirements and availability, which may vary. While we strive for accuracy, the information provided may not reflect the most recent updates. Always verify details with official sources or professionals before making decisions based on this content.