Category: Family/Caregiver
Current concern level: Moderate to high concern
How it works
A caller or texter pretends to be a grandchild, relative, or caregiver and says they need urgent help. Sometimes the scammer also impersonates a lawyer, police officer, or hospital staff member.
Red flags
- Strong pressure to act immediately.
- Requests for secrecy from other family members.
- Payment instructions that bypass normal family communication.
- Vague details that avoid specific facts.
What to do
- Hang up and call your relative directly using a known number.
- Ask a question only your real family member would answer.
- Confirm the story with another trusted person.
What never to do
- Never send money based on one call or text.
- Never share personal records without verification.
- Never let urgency replace a quick family check.
If money was sent: steps
- Contact the payment company immediately.
- Save all call logs, texts, and transaction details.
- Notify family members so they can avoid follow-up attempts.
- Report to FTC and IC3.
How to report
- FTC: https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/
- FBI IC3: https://www.ic3.gov/