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For Seniors

The grandchild scam — and why they can now sound exactly like them

Technology has made one of the oldest scams more convincing than ever. Here's what to know, and what to do if it happens to you.

How It Works

The call sounds completely real

You receive a phone call. The voice on the other end sounds exactly like your grandchild — or a son, daughter, or close friend. They're in trouble: an accident, a medical emergency, a legal problem. They need money urgently. And they ask you not to tell anyone else in the family.

This is one of the oldest scams. But it has changed significantly in recent years. Scammers now use artificial intelligence to clone a person's voice from as little as a few seconds of audio — a voicemail message, a video posted on social media, a clip from a family video shared online. The resulting voice is nearly indistinguishable from the real person.

The emotional impact is real and immediate. Hearing a voice you recognise — especially one that sounds distressed — creates a powerful and completely natural urge to help. Scammers understand this deeply, and they count on it.

What to Look For

The warning signs — even when the voice sounds right

A convincing voice is not enough to confirm the caller is who they claim to be. These warning signs apply regardless of how familiar the caller sounds — and the more of them that are present, the more certain it is that something is wrong.

They're asking for money urgently

"I need you to send money right now." No real emergency requires money transferred within the next 30 minutes. Real family emergencies involve hospitals, police, and other family members — they take time, and they involve other people.

They're asking for secrecy

"Don't tell Mum" or "Don't tell anyone else yet." Real family members in genuine emergencies want family around them and involved — not kept in the dark. Secrecy is a scammer's tool.

They want an unusual form of payment

Gift cards, cash via courier, cryptocurrency, or a wire transfer to an account you don't recognise. A real family emergency would go through a hospital, a lawyer, or the family directly — not through gift cards.

They can't answer something only they would know

Ask a specific question — something only your real grandchild could answer. A pet's name, a shared memory, something from last Christmas. If they deflect, give a vague answer, or change the subject — that's a clear signal.

What to Do

What to do when you get this call

  1. 1 Don't act immediately No genuine emergency requires money transferred in the next 30 minutes. Take a breath. Feeling an urgent need to act right now is exactly how the scam is designed to work.
  2. 2 Hang up and call them back Use a number you already have saved for that person — in your phone contacts or written down somewhere — not any number the caller gives you. If it was really them, they'll answer or call you back.
  3. 3 Call another family member to check Before doing anything else, call a son, daughter, or another grandchild to verify. A real emergency will already involve other people in the family. A scammer cannot control what other family members tell you.
  4. 4 Ask for your family code word If your family has agreed on a code word, ask for it. A real family member will know it immediately. A scammer will not. See the section below on how to set one up today.
Simple Protection

Agree on a family code word today

A code word costs nothing and takes two minutes to set up

Choose a simple, memorable phrase that means nothing to a stranger — just a word or two that your family agrees on.

"pineapple"  ·  "blue sky"  ·  "Nana's garden"

If you ever receive a distressing call from someone claiming to be a family member, ask them for the code word. Your real family member will know it immediately. A scammer — no matter how convincingly they sound like that person — will not.

Share this page with your family so everyone knows to agree on one now, before anything happens.

We can help protect your computer and phone from scammers

SafeHarbour Digital sets up security tools on your devices that block many scam attempts before they reach you, and we're always available if something feels wrong. Give us a call.

Call us any time 03 XXXX XXXX We respond to all enquiries within one business day