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in Grandparent Scam
▶ VIDEO
NBC10 Philadelphia
· 2025-08-14
An 86-year-old South Philadelphia woman was defrauded of $6,000 after receiving a call from scammers using AI-generated voice technology to impersonate her granddaughter claiming to be in a car accident and detained by police. A fake lawyer then demanded $10,400 to secure the granddaughter's release, settling for the $6,000 in cash the victim had available. The incident highlights how scammers exploit family emergencies and new technology to manipulate elderly victims into sending money quickly without verification.
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CNY Central
· 2025-08-20
Federal authorities arrested 13 people involved in a transnational grandparent scam that defrauded at least 400 elderly victims nationwide of approximately $5 million, with funds funneled to the Dominican Republic. Scammers called victims from call centers in the Dominican Republic, impersonating grandchildren in distress and requesting urgent wire transfers, sometimes using ride-share drivers to collect cash in person. An elderly couple from Cayuga County, New York, was among the victims, losing nearly $25,000 to the scheme.
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FOX6 News Milwaukee
· 2025-08-22
**Title:** Preventing scams and fraud | FOX6 News Milwaukee
A Hartford staffing support company received a convincing phone call from someone impersonating their bank, with a spoofed caller ID, claiming fraudulent transactions required setting up a new account and requesting current account credentials. The company president recognized red flags when asked for sensitive information despite the caller's friendly demeanor and trust-building tactics, ultimately refusing to provide the information and avoiding financial loss. The segment provides awareness about how financial fraud scams use social engineering and caller ID spoofing to appear legitimate and manipulate victims into revealing account information.
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FOX23 News Tulsa
· 2025-08-27
Scammers are using AI voice cloning technology to impersonate loved ones in "vishing" (voice phishing) schemes that target families with emergency-based fraud calls. With as little as 15 seconds of audio, attackers can create a convincing voice clone and spoof the caller's phone number to pressure victims—particularly elderly targets—into sending money by claiming a loved one is hurt or needs immediate help.
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NBC 6 South Florida
· 2025-12-09
An elderly woman named Christine lost $6,000 in a grandparent scam after receiving a panicked call from someone claiming to be her granddaughter Addison asking for emergency money; authorities believe the caller used AI-generated voice technology to impersonate her granddaughter, who was actually safe at work. The grandparent scam is a widespread fraud affecting over 147,000 victims annually with losses totaling nearly $4.9 billion, and scammers are increasingly using readily available AI voice-cloning tools that require minimal audio samples to create convincing impersonations.
▶ VIDEO
KPRC 2 Click2Houston
· 2025-09-03
The Better Business Bureau warns about "emergency scams" targeting senior citizens, in which scammers impersonate grandchildren or other family members claiming to be in urgent situations (hospitalized, in accidents, or needing bail money) and request immediate money transfers. The scam exploits the emotional distress and urgency created by the false emergency to pressure victims into sending funds before they can verify the caller's identity.
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KETK NBC
· 2025-09-04
The Better Business Bureau advises families to protect seniors from scams during Grandparents Day by recognizing common fraud tactics. Seniors are frequently targeted because they tend to be more isolated and trusting, making them vulnerable to schemes including the grandparent scam, high-pressure sales calls, and phishing scams. Families should watch for warning signs such as excessive spam emails, junk mail, and suspicious text messages as indicators that an older adult may be targeted by scammers.
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ABC10
· 2025-09-04
California seniors lost $1.7 billion to fraud in 2024, with scammers increasingly targeting older adults through digital devices using evolving tactics like spoofing and gift card scams. Experts from AARP and Chase Bank conducted educational workshops in Sacramento to help seniors recognize common scams and protect their identities, emphasizing that awareness and vigilance are key to prevention.
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WDEF News 12
· 2025-09-04
Phishing scams have become increasingly sophisticated since the 1990s, with fraudsters now using emails, text messages, phone calls, QR codes, and AI-generated voices to deceive victims into sharing sensitive information like bank accounts, passwords, and social security numbers. Notably, younger adults aged 18-30 are now falling victim to these scams more frequently than older Americans, particularly through online shopping schemes, while businesses and consumers collectively face millions in losses annually from stolen funds, identity theft, and malware infections.
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ABC News
· 2025-09-25
**Grandparent Scam - Voice Technology Fraud**
Scammers are using advanced voice technology to impersonate grandchildren in what the FBI identifies as an escalating problem targeting older adults. A 91-year-old victim (Shirley Morrow) was convinced by a call mimicking her grandson's voice that he was in legal trouble and needed $9,000; older adults collectively lost $4.9 billion to these scams, which typically involve fraudsters posing as family members in supposed emergencies to pressure immediate payment.
▶ VIDEO
ABC News
· 2025-09-25
A 91-year-old woman named Shirley Morrow lost $9,000 in a "grandparent scam" after receiving a phone call from someone posing as her grandson, claiming he was in jail following a car accident and needed bail money. The scam involves fraudsters impersonating a grandchild in distress and requesting immediate payment, with tens of thousands of cases reported nationwide targeting senior citizens. Scammers use voice mimicking technology and social engineering tactics to convince victims to withdraw cash before they realize they've been deceived.
▶ VIDEO
Arizona’s Family (3TV / CBS 5)
· 2025-10-06
This podcast segment from "On Your Side" features hosts Gary Harper and Susan Campbell discussing the evolving nature of scams targeting vulnerable populations. The hosts highlight how scams have become increasingly sophisticated and believable over time, using technology to deceive victims—exemplified by Susan's personal anecdote about her grandmother falling for a classic Microsoft pop-up scam that prompted her to call a fraudulent number and potentially compromise her financial accounts. The hosts emphasize that scams are becoming more prevalent and convincing, affecting even intelligent and vigilant people, and stress the importance of family awareness and intervention to protect loved ones from fraud.
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KGW News
· 2025-10-10
Oregon is experiencing a growing crisis affecting its expanding senior population, with scams and housing insecurity among the pressing issues. AARP estimates that within five years, one in five Oregonians will be 65 or older, and seniors already outnumber those 18 and younger in the state. The discussion highlights how many elders are overlooked, isolated, and in need of community support and solutions to help them thrive safely.
capecodtimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Robert Tobey, a Connecticut man with early-stage dementia, lost at least $5,000 to phone scammers between late 2018 and early 2019 who posed as friends, manipulating him into sending gift cards and money transfers and compromising his Social Security account. The article reports that scams affecting Cape Cod residents include romance scams, government impersonation schemes, sweepstakes scams, and grandchild-in-jail scams, with the National Council on Aging estimating five million older Americans lose $36.5 billion annually to fraud. Law enforcement warns that scams are constantly evolving and advise victims to hang up on suspicious calls
cnbc.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, consumers lost a record $10 billion to fraud, with imposter scams being the most prevalent, affecting nearly 854,000 people and resulting in $2.7 billion in losses at an average of $800 per victim. Imposter scams involve criminals posing as trusted entities (government agencies, companies, relatives, or romantic interests) via email, phone, text, or social media to steal money or personal information, with emerging technologies like AI and voice cloning making these frauds increasingly convincing. Older adults, particularly those 80 and over, experience significantly higher median losses ($1,450) and are particularly vulnerable to "phantom hacker" tech-
reverejournal.com
· 2025-12-08
Revere police officers Kenan Resic and Pheachey Chhom prevented a $6,500 theft targeting a senior citizen couple through a "grandparent scam" where the perpetrator impersonated their grandson, claimed to be in jail, and requested bail money. The officers successfully identified and apprehended the courier (a hired Lyft driver) and recovered the stolen funds after the elderly couple provided vehicle information and surveillance video. The incident highlights the rising threat of elder fraud in the region, prompting the Suffolk County District Attorney's office to launch the Suffolk County Fraud Fighters program, a multi-agency initiative designed to educate and protect vulnerable residents across Boston,
thecut.com
· 2025-12-08
In October, the author—a financially literate journalist and New York Times columnist—fell victim to an elaborate impersonation scam that cost her $50,000 in savings. After an initial fraudulent Amazon customer service call, she was transferred to a scammer posing as a federal agent who claimed her identity had been compromised and her home was being monitored, pressuring her to withdraw cash and leave it on the street in a shoebox without telling anyone. The article challenges common stereotypes about scam victims, noting that younger adults are actually 34% more likely to report fraud losses than seniors, and that intelligence, education, and financial literacy provide no protection against sophisticated psychological manipulation tactics.
vancouver.citynews.ca
· 2025-12-08
Port Moody police reported three "grandparent" scams in a single day in February 2024, resulting in $12,000 in losses, where callers impersonated grandchildren claiming to need money for car repairs or legal fees. Victims were instructed to withdraw cash from banks and meet the suspects in person to exchange money, with police noting an additional incident the previous week where an elderly couple lost $21,000 under similar circumstances. Law enforcement warned that these scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with scammers using artificial intelligence to alter voices and impersonate family members more convincingly.
scdemocratonline.com
· 2025-12-08
Jeff Bank leaders discussed the rising prevalence of fraud and scams targeting their customers, particularly elderly individuals who are being defrauded of substantial sums of money. The bank has increased staff training on scam detection and conducted community outreach to vulnerable populations, while noting that scams often go undetected until money has already been sent. Common scams include the Microsoft pop-up scam, lottery fee schemes, the "grandma scam" involving emergency situations, and unsolicited requests for money through electronic channels or phone calls.
ny1.com
· 2025-12-08
The Orange County Sheriff's Office warned residents about scammers impersonating the sheriff's department to sell T-shirts, clarifying that neither the Sheriff's Office nor its association conducts such sales or fundraising. Sheriff Paul Arteta advised the public to ignore unsolicited calls, emails, and requests for payment, emphasizing that legitimate communications arrive by mail or are pre-solicited, and recommended contacting local law enforcement if victimized. The office has established a white-collar task force and is conducting fraud awareness presentations at senior centers to prevent scams.
thespec.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Three seniors in Port Moody, B.C., were targeted by "grandparent" scammers on the same day in February 2024, with two victims losing a combined $12,000 in cash. The scammers called elderly residents claiming to be grandchildren in legal trouble and arranged for accomplices to collect money in person from their homes, often impersonating authority figures like bailiffs or lawyers. Police suspected the cases may be linked and were investigating by canvassing neighborhoods and reviewing surveillance footage.
globalnews.ca
· 2025-12-08
Three seniors in Port Moody, B.C., were targeted by "grandparent" scams on the same day, with two victims losing a combined $12,000 in cash. The scammers impersonated grandchildren claiming to need money for legal emergencies like bail or car accidents, then arranged for unknown individuals to collect cash in person from the victims' homes. Police are investigating whether the cases are connected and are reviewing surveillance footage and canvassing neighborhoods for leads.
theautopian.com
· 2025-12-08
Financial advice columnist Charlotte Cowles lost $50,000 to a sophisticated phone scam in which callers impersonated Amazon, the Federal Trade Commission, and the CIA, using personal information to convince her to withdraw cash and hand it to an undercover "CIA agent." The scammers obtained her Social Security number and family details, and instructed her not to tell anyone, ultimately leading her to place $50,000 in a shoebox and hand it through a car window. Cowles publicly shared her experience to raise awareness about how scams can target anyone, regardless of financial literacy or expertise, and to help prevent others from falling victim to similar schemes.
patch.com
· 2025-12-08
Howell Township police warned residents of a surge in telephone scams targeting senior citizens, with scammers using common stories about unpaid bills (IRS or utilities) or relatives in legal or medical trouble to pressure victims into sending money via gift cards or arranging in-person cash pickups. Police emphasized that funds lost to these scams are typically unrecoverable and urged residents to be cautious and contact law enforcement if suspicious.
pembinavalleyonline.com
· 2025-12-08
**Grandparent Scam Alert from Winkler Police**
Winkler Police Service reports an increasing number of scams over the past five years, with the grandparent scam emerging as a recent variation targeting elderly residents. Scammers pose as grandchildren or their representatives claiming to be in trouble (car accidents, arrests) and requesting money for bail or emergencies, often using spoofed local phone numbers and information gathered from social media to appear credible. Police recommend hanging up, verifying the claim with family members or local police, and contacting the Canadian Anti-Fraud Center if targeted—noting that legitimate police requests differ significantly from scammer tactics.
fox61.com
· 2025-12-08
Connecticut State Police are investigating multiple "bail scams" in which victims received phone calls falsely claiming a family member was arrested and needed bail money, with a person posing as a bail bondsman collecting cash in person. At least three incidents have been reported in East Haddam and Somers, with police seeking a Black male in his late 20s, approximately 6'3", described as the person of interest. State police warn that bail scams often target seniors but can affect anyone, and advise never providing personal or financial information without verifying the request's legitimacy.
cbapd.org
· 2025-12-08
This was an educational webinar hosted by the Canadian Bar Association's Elder Law Section on April 16, 2024, addressing scams and frauds targeting older adults across Canada, including grandparent schemes, mortgage lending fraud, and door-to-door HVAC scams. The session featured presentations from police, advocacy organizations, and estate litigation lawyers on criminal justice responses, legal support for victims, and the increasing use of equitable relief and unconscionability doctrines in predatory lending cases.
nbcconnecticut.com
· 2025-12-08
Connecticut State Police are investigating multiple bail bond scams across East Haddam, Somers, and other towns where a man (described as approximately 6'3", late 20s) posed as a bail bondsman representative and collected cash directly from residents' homes after convincing them a family member needed bail money. At least three incidents occurred within one week, with victims withdrawing cash from their banks before someone arrived at their homes to pick up the money in person. State police advise residents to verify claims about family members in custody by contacting relatives directly and to be alert for warning signs such as being told not to discuss the request with others.
kqradio.com
· 2025-12-08
Iowa's Attorney General, Insurance Commissioner, and AARP State Director are conducting statewide educational stops to raise awareness about AI-enabled scams targeting elderly residents. The latest fraud scheme involves criminals using artificial intelligence to impersonate grandchildren, replicating their voices and phone numbers to deceive seniors in "grandparent scams."
wobm.com
· 2025-12-08
Howell Township Police issued a warning about rising phone scams targeting senior citizens in New Jersey, where scammers typically pose as government agencies (IRS, utilities) or claim relatives need bail or medical money. Police advise seniors never to pay via gift cards or allow strangers to pick up money, and urge victims to report incidents to local law enforcement to help track patterns.
messengernews.net
· 2025-12-08
Iowans lost nearly $30 million to fraud in 2022, with older adults disproportionately targeted because they tend to have more assets, may be less tech-savvy, and are more trusting. People ages 70-79 lost an average of $43,000 per scam incident, though many cases go unreported due to victim embarrassment and fear. Common red flags include promises of something free, pressure to act quickly, requests for personal information or money transfers, vague details, and unsolicited contact.
tryondailybulletin.com
· 2025-12-08
A 72-year-old woman named Donna lost $34,000 in a romance scam after seven months of communication with someone she met on a dating site who promised to buy a house with her but disappeared after receiving her money. The article highlights that the FTC reported over $10 billion in losses from scams last year, with elderly individuals particularly vulnerable to sweetheart scams, fake prize winnings, grandparent scams, contractor fraud, and phishing emails. The article recommends protective measures including frequent password changes, two-factor authentication, monthly credit monitoring, antivirus software, limiting personal information on social media, and recognizing red flags like pressure to send money immediately.
observernews.net
· 2025-12-08
In 2022, Americans lost nearly $9 billion to scams and fraud, with seniors being particularly vulnerable targets, according to FTC reports. The Community Foundation Tampa Bay, Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, and Men's Club of Sun City Center partnered to present a free educational seminar on March 5 featuring speakers who covered common scams including charity fraud, lottery schemes, romance scams, and grandparent scams, while providing prevention strategies and resources to protect older adults from financial exploitation.
steinbachonline.com
· 2025-12-08
A senior in Steinbach, Manitoba lost a substantial amount of money in a Grandparent Scam on Wednesday, where a fraudster called pretending to be a relative in jail and requesting bail money, then arranged in-person cash pickup at the victim's home. Police received two complaints that day and report fraudsters have obtained victims' addresses in the area; if successful, scammers typically call back demanding additional money. Authorities recommend seniors hang up on suspicious calls, verify with family members, establish a family safety word, and report all suspected fraud to police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
nypost.com
· 2025-12-08
A YouTube content creator operating under the pseudonym "Neld Harris" poses as an elderly, tech-illiterate widow to infiltrate and expose scam operations targeting vulnerable seniors. Through his ScamSandwich channel, which has garnered over 8 million views since launching in January 2023, he lures scammers into elaborate traps, takes control of their computers, and publicly reveals their identities, locations, and tactics. This "scambaiting" effort addresses a significant problem: the AARP reports Americans over 60 lose $28.3 billion annually to scams, with only 1 in 10 cases reported to authorities.
publicnewsservice.org
· 2025-12-08
AARP Connecticut is launching a new educational series to address the growing complexity of scams targeting older adults, with 400 different scam types reported in 2022. Seniors are frequently targeted because they tend to have more financial resources, and losses can range from hundreds to hundreds of thousands of dollars, with emotional and psychological impacts extending beyond financial harm. The free online series will cover topics including artificial intelligence and voice cloning scams, with a Connecticut man recently indicted for defrauding Wisconsin seniors of $200,000 through grandparent impersonation scams.
midmichigannow.com
· 2025-12-08
State Representative Jasper R. Martus and Attorney General Dana Nessel will present "Senior Scams Awareness" at the Krapohl Senior Center in Mt. Morris Township to educate seniors about common scams targeting older adults, including grandparent scams, IRS scams, and sweepstakes scams, as well as prevention strategies. The presentation aims to teach seniors how to recognize these frauds and what steps to take if they encounter a scam.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorney's Office partnered with Winchester and Waltham Police Departments to host financial fraud awareness seminars for older adults, featuring presentations from federal prosecutors, the IRS, and U.S. Postal Service on common scams and protective measures. According to FBI data, victims over 60 experienced an 84% increase in losses from 2021 to 2022, totaling over $3 billion, with nearly 5,500 victims losing more than $100,000 each to schemes including tech support, romance, and sweepstakes scams.
saskatoon.ctvnews.ca
· 2025-12-08
I'm unable to provide a summary of this article because the text provided only contains the title and a list of unrelated shopping/product recommendation links, with no actual article content about the scam incident. To summarize the grandparent scam case involving the Alberta woman arrested in Saskatoon, please provide the full article text.
wset.com
· 2025-12-08
Bedford Police reported an increase in scams targeting elderly residents, including romance scams, grandparent scams requesting money or gift cards, and fraudsters impersonating organizations in person. Community Resource Officer Travis Thomas advised victims to request contact information and verify claims through independent research before donating or sending money, and encouraged residents to contact Bedford Police's non-emergency line to report scams or confirm legitimacy of requests.
steinbachonline.com
· 2025-12-08
Steinbach RCMP responded to four grandparent scam incidents in two days, with two victims losing money. Scammers called elderly residents impersonating relatives in legal trouble and requesting bail money, which victims were instructed to hand over to couriers at their homes. Police advise recipients to hang up, verify the story by calling the alleged family member, never share personal information, and establish a family safety word to prevent falling victim to this fraud.
healthjournalism.org
· 2025-12-08
Elder fraud schemes—including grandparent scams, romance scams, and government impersonation scams—have become increasingly sophisticated through AI technology like deepfake videos and robocalls, making them difficult to distinguish from legitimate communications. In 2022 alone, approximately 88,000 people aged 60 and older lost $3.1 billion to fraud, with victims over 70 losing an average of nearly $42,000; scammers typically exploit emotions rather than intelligence, and experts advise victims and their families to watch for financial requests as the key indicator of fraud. The AARP Fraud Watch Network received nearly 100,000 calls last year from victims of all
orilliamatters.com
· 2025-12-08
The Huronia West Ontario Provincial Police arrested two individuals (ages 24 and 25) in late February after investigating a grandparent scam in which a suspect impersonated a police officer and falsely told a victim their grandson was in jail, demanding money for legal fees; the suspect visited the victim's home three times to collect cash before police intervened on the third visit. Both suspects were charged with fraud over $5,000, with the 24-year-old also charged with resisting a peace officer. The OPP provided guidance on protecting against emergency/grandparent scams, emphasizing verification of callers through independent contact information and warning that legitimate law enforcement will never request payment by
netnewsledger.com
· 2025-12-08
The Thunder Bay Police Service warned of persistent grandparent scams targeting seniors in the community, with one victim losing $3,000 after receiving a call from someone impersonating a lawyer representing her grandson who allegedly needed bail money. The scam typically involves fraudsters calling from private numbers, sometimes playing background voices to create credibility, and requesting urgent fund transfers via email or gift cards. The police recommend protective measures including hanging up on suspicious calls, independently verifying claims with family members, being alert to pressure tactics, reporting suspicious activity, and staying informed through resources like the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Video call scams are fraudulent schemes conducted via platforms like WhatsApp where scammers use impersonation, deepfakes, and emotional manipulation to target victims through four main methods: blackmail (threatening to release recorded calls), investment fraud, tech support deception, and romance schemes. India's CERT-In recommends safeguards including avoiding video calls from unknown contacts, not sharing personal information, verifying identities, using secure platforms, and maintaining restricted privacy settings on social media.
natlawreview.com
· 2025-12-08
The FTC has proposed expanded regulations to combat impersonation fraud, which has surged due to emerging technologies like deepfake AI. The proposed rule changes would prohibit impersonation of individuals (extending beyond current government and business protections) and hold companies liable if they knowingly provide services—such as payment processing or AI platforms—used in impersonation schemes including romance scams and grandparent scams. The rule will enter a 60-day public comment period before implementation.
vancouver.citynews.ca
· 2025-12-08
The Vancouver Police Department is hosting free scam prevention workshops for seniors, with the first session on February 28, 2024, covering phone scams, bail money scams, distraction thefts, and cybercrime. The initiative follows recent scams in the region, including a bail money scam targeting a Vancouver senior, a $7.5 million cryptocurrency scam affecting a Burnaby senior, and an AI-enabled grandparent scam in Richmond. Monthly workshops will continue through June at various community locations, including sessions in multiple languages.
calgaryherald.com
· 2025-12-08
Nishaan Singh Sandhu pleaded guilty to his role in a grandparent scam targeting 81-year-old Calgary senior John Roy, who lost $12,000 after being told his grandson was in jail in Philadelphia and needed bail money. When the judge indicated a custodial sentence was appropriate and rejected a probationary proposal, Sandhu's lawyer sought to withdraw the guilty plea; the case returns to court March 15 to determine if the plea can be vacated or proceed to sentencing. Sandhu was arrested at Roy's home while posing as "Michael Lee" to pick up the fraudulent payment, though the Crown did not allege he was involved in the
globalnews.ca
· 2025-12-08
Vancouver police held anti-fraud workshops for seniors after a Broadway Lodge resident lost approximately $5,000 to phone scammers, highlighting the need for fraud prevention education. The workshops cover common scams including grandparent scams (which cost victims over $10 million in 2022), bail scams, distraction theft, and cybersecurity threats, with officers noting that fraudsters are increasingly using artificial intelligence and social media to target vulnerable seniors. Police emphasize that prevention through education is critical since recovering stolen funds—often sent overseas—is extremely difficult.
pembinavalleyonline.com
· 2025-12-08
The Grandparent Scam, currently prevalent in Manitoba, involves criminals calling seniors pretending to be relatives who need bail money for a supposed arrest, then arranging cash pickup at the victim's home. RCMP Sergeant Joanne Ryll advises recipients to hang up, verify the story by calling other family members, never share personal information, and establish a family safety word, noting that fraudsters often make multiple calls requesting additional money once they identify a vulnerable victim. Recovery of money lost to these scams is nearly impossible once handed over to the criminals.