A caller sounds like your grandchild and needs money: how to check
Do not send money because a caller sounds familiar or says the situation must stay secret. End the call and contact the relative using a number you already know. If you cannot reach them, contact another trusted family member. Verify the situation independently before paying.
AI-assisted educational guide based on the sources linked below. Apply instructions for your specific device, provider and situation; emergency responders’ instructions take priority.
Can a familiar voice prove the call is real?
No. FTC warns that scammers can impersonate relatives, use personal information and clone voices with AI. Urgency, secrecy and a demand for fast payment are common features. Caller identity should be checked through a separate trusted route, not judged from how convincing the voice sounds. FTC: fake family emergencies.
Do not turn the call into a contest to detect synthetic audio. A distressed voice, background noise or an accurate family detail is not a reliable identity check.
What should we do while the caller is pressuring us?
- Say you will check and end the call.
- Call the relative using a saved, previously verified number—not the number the caller supplies.
- If there is no answer, reach another trusted person who may know where they are.
- If an institution is named, find its official contact route independently.
- If there is a credible immediate threat to safety, contact emergency services rather than sending money to the caller.
FTC recommends the trusted callback and second-person check. No response on the first attempt does not confirm the caller’s story.
What words can my parent use?
Our suggested script: “I care about you. I’m going to call you back on the number I have.” If someone claims to be a lawyer or official: “I will contact the organization directly.” Your parent does not need to explain the verification process or convince the caller it is reasonable.
Practice during a calm conversation, with everyone’s consent. Do not surprise your parent with a realistic fake emergency as a test. The aim is a repeatable habit, not proving that someone can be fooled.
What goes on a family verification card?
- Names and verified numbers for the primary and backup contacts.
- A reminder to stop and call back independently.
- Permission to involve another trusted person despite a secrecy demand.
- The bank’s official contact route if money has already been sent.
A family code phrase can be an extra prompt, but do not treat it as sufficient proof: it could be guessed, disclosed or obtained from an account. Keep account passwords and authentication codes off the card.
What if payment has already happened?
Use our money-sent response guide immediately. Prioritize the payment-provider call, then save evidence and report the incident. Do not wait for the supposed grandchild or official to call back.
Ask your parent which part felt convincing and what support would help next time. Avoid telling the story to others without their agreement. The practical outcome is a verification routine they are willing and able to use—not embarrassment or unnecessary loss of control over their phone.
Continue when you are ready
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