Scammers are getting more sophisticated, using AI-generated (artificial intelligence) voices and deepfake videos (a video in which a person’s face, body, or voice has been digitally altered so that they appear to be someone else) to trick seniors into believing a loved one is in distress. Known as the Grandparent Scam, this fraud preys on emotions, making victims act quickly without verifying the situation. To protect yourself and your family, remember to P.A.U.S.E. before taking action.
How the Grandparent Scam Works
The grandparent scam typically works by a phone call to the senior, and the caller claims to be the grandchild of the person who answers. The caller, who typically sounds distressed, may try any of these tactics:
- Claim to be a law enforcement official, lawyer or impersonate the grandchild/family member.
- Use urgency and threats to convince you to take out money.
- Claim that there is a “gag order” preventing you from speaking about the situation.
The caller may also plead with the ‘grandparent’ not to tell anyone. “Please don’t tell my mom, Grandma – she’ll be so upset.”
Fraudsters can target victims through the grandparent scam by phone call, email and text message, with many using details from Facebook or other social media to make their stories more believable. Fraudsters may request an electronic transfer of funds or offer to visit your home to pick up funds. They insist on secrecy and demand urgent financial help through:
E-Transfer or Crypto Transactions – Instant and hard to trace.
Gift Cards or Prepaid Credit Cards – Commonly requested under the guise of a quick fix.
In-Person Pickups – Some scammers now send “couriers” to collect cash directly from victims’ homes.
P.A.U.S.E. Before You Act
If you receive an urgent call or message from someone claiming to be a loved one in trouble, follow these five steps:
P – Pause and stay calm. Scammers rely on panic to push victims into quick decisions. Take a deep breath and don’t act immediately.
A – Ask a personal question only your real loved one would know. If they can’t answer, it’s likely a scam.
U – Understand common scam tactics like AI-cloned voices, fake video calls, and in-person couriers. Scammers use technology to make their stories more believable.
S – Stop all communication and call the family member directly on a trusted phone number. If you can’t reach them, check with another relative.
E – Examine the situation carefully and report the scam to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre [link]
Red Flags to Watch For
- Urgency & Secrecy – If someone says “Don’t tell Mom and Dad”, it’s a red flag.
- Unfamiliar Phone Numbers – A “relative” calling from an unknown number or using a poor connection to disguise their voice.
- Strange Payment Requests – No real emergencies require gift cards or cryptocurrencies.
- Pressure to Act Immediately – Scammers don’t want you to think or verify.
How to Prevent Being Defrauded
- Hang up and DO NOT provide any information to the caller.
- If the caller claims to be a law enforcement official, hang up and call your local police directly, using a phone number from a reputable source – not one provided by the caller.
- Do not send money to the caller, and do not give the caller your address.
- Call your family members right away, especially the family member in question.
- Report this information to the police.
- Tell your friends and family to help prevent others from being scammed.
Ask Questions, Don’t Answer Them
These types of fraud calls trick the victim into providing information, which the fraudster then uses against the victim. Make sure you are not offering names or confirming details that the fraudsters are prompting you to provide. If they are who they say they are, they will be able to answer your questions.
Always Be Wary
Any caller asking for your personal information over the phone, or is demanding action in a very short timeframe, should make you suspicious. If the caller claims to be a law enforcement official, hang up and call your local police directly using a phone number from a reputable source – not one provided by the suspected fraudster. Do not use the phone number given to you by the fraudster to confirm legitimacy.
Protect Yourself
Be mindful of what you post online. Scammers can use details shared on social media, such as family names and locations, to further convince you that what they are saying is real.
Report It
If you think you or someone you know has fallen victim to a grandparent scam, report it immediately to your local police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. If you believe that your Westoba accounts may have been compromised, please reach out to us immediately at 1-877-WESTOBA.
