The Multi-stage Grandparent Scam

While scammers have been impersonating grandchildren on the phone for years, usually pretending they’ve been in an accident or are jailed and need money, there is a new fraud now making the rounds. In this new scam, fraudsters still impersonate a grandchild – often citing a broken nose incurred during the “incident” as the reason you don’t recognize their voice – and offer a case number and instructions to call their defense attorney. When you call, they ask for the case number not only to appear legit but also to see how well you’ve fallen for the scam. When they ask for money this time, some also even use phony couriers to collect it in person. Where once this scam usually only targeted a few hundred dollars, now with the “legal” aspect in play, crooks are more likely to ask for thousands, even tens of thousands to help poor deary get out of jail.

What to do

If you get a call from an unfamiliar number, you should probably let it go to voicemail. Once you’ve listened to the message, the Federal Communications Commission recommends that you call or text the person at their usual number and check to see whether they are actually in trouble. If they don’t answer, contact other family members or friends until you can confirm the “reality” of the situation. Scammers plead with you to keep the situation a secret, precisely so you won’t try to confirm it.