“Grandma, I’m in trouble and need money right away.” These desperate words have cost Ottawa seniors thousands of dollars—and the criminals behind them show no signs of stopping. The grandparent scam exploits the love grandparents have for their grandchildren, turning that bond into a weapon.
Understanding how grandparent scams work can protect your family from this heartbreaking fraud.
Key Highlights
TL;DR: Scammers call seniors pretending to be a grandchild in trouble (arrested, in accident, stranded). They urgently request money via cash, wire transfer, or gift cards. Create a family code word and verify any emergency request by calling the grandchild directly on their known number.
| Quick Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| 📅 Ongoing Threat | Year-round |
| 📍 Targets | Seniors with grandchildren |
| 🎟️ Typical Loss | $5,000-$50,000+ |
| ⏰ Report To | Ottawa Police, CAFC |
How the Scam Works
The Initial Call
A typical grandparent scam unfolds like this:
The Setup:
- Phone rings, often early morning or late evening
- Caller: “Hi Grandma/Grandpa, it’s me!”
- Grandparent often supplies the name: “Michael?”
- Caller: “Yes! Grandma, I’m in trouble…”
The Story:
- Arrested while traveling
- Car accident and facing charges
- Stranded in another city
- Hospital emergency
- Jail and needs bail money
Why It Works
Several factors make this scam effective:
Emotional Manipulation:
- Grandparents want to help
- Urgency prevents clear thinking
- Fear for grandchild’s safety
- Desire to protect family
Information Gathering:
- Scammer lets grandparent fill in details
- Names pulled from social media
- Details confirmed during conversation
- Grandparent unknowingly helps
Secrecy Request:
- “Don’t tell Mom and Dad—they’ll be so disappointed”
- “The lawyer said to keep this quiet”
- “I don’t want to worry anyone else”
- Isolates victim from those who might intervene
Illustrative image only.
Common Variations
The Arrest Scenario
The Story:
- “I was arrested for DUI/drugs/fighting”
- “I’m at the police station in [city]”
- “I need bail money immediately”
- Fake “lawyer” or “officer” may call to confirm
The Ask:
- Cash sent via courier
- Wire transfer to bail bondsman
- Gift cards read over phone
The Accident Scenario
The Story:
- “I was in a car accident”
- “I hurt someone and could face charges”
- “I need money for the victim’s medical bills”
- Settlement must happen immediately
The Pressure:
- Pay now or face arrest
- Victim’s family demanding payment
- Court date imminent
The Stranded Traveler
The Story:
- “I’m stuck in [city/country]”
- “My wallet was stolen”
- “I can’t get home without help”
The Request:
- Wire money for flight/hotel
- Send cash via courier service
Warning Signs
Red Flags During the Call
Be alert to:
- Caller doesn’t sound quite right
- Vague about details until you provide them
- Urgency and pressure to act immediately
- Request to keep the call secret
- Unusual payment methods requested
- Caller can’t answer personal questions
Suspicious Payment Requests
Legitimate emergencies don’t require:
- Cash sent via courier
- Wire transfers to strangers
- Gift card codes read over phone
- Bitcoin or cryptocurrency
- Payment to unknown individuals
How to Protect Yourself
During a Suspicious Call
If you receive a potential scam call:
Stay Calm:
- Don’t let emotion override judgment
- Scammers use urgency deliberately
- A few minutes of verification won’t hurt a real emergency
Verify:
- Hang up and call the grandchild directly
- Use their known phone number
- Call their parents to confirm
- Don’t use any number the caller provides
Ask Questions:
- What’s your mother’s maiden name?
- What’s your dog’s name?
- What did we do last Christmas?
- Scammers won’t know personal details
The Family Code Word
Establish a family system:
Create a Code:
- Choose a word or phrase only family knows
- Must be used in any emergency money request
- Teach it to all generations
- Don’t share it outside family
Example:
- “The blue elephant dances”
- Grandmother’s maiden name backward
- Childhood pet’s name plus a number
- Anything memorable and secret
Illustrative image only.
Protecting Elderly Parents
Have the Conversation
Talk with senior family members:
Discuss the Scam:
- Explain how it works
- Share news stories about local cases
- Emphasize it’s not embarrassing to verify
- Real grandchildren will understand a callback
Establish Protocols:
- Family code word
- “Call me first” policy
- Trusted contacts for financial decisions
- Regular check-ins
Reduce Vulnerability
Practical steps:
- Limit personal information on social media
- Consider call screening or blocking
- Set up trusted contacts at banks
- Encourage skepticism of unexpected calls
If You’ve Been Victimized
Immediate Actions
Take these steps:
- Don’t blame yourself—these criminals are sophisticated
- Report to Ottawa Police: 613-236-1222
- Call your bank if money was transferred
- Report to Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre: 1-888-495-8501
- Contact the courier company if cash was picked up
Recovery Challenges
Understand the reality:
- Cash is rarely recovered
- Wire transfers difficult to reverse
- Gift card funds usually gone
- Reporting helps catch criminals
- Prevention is the best strategy
Resources
Reporting
Ottawa Police Service:
- Non-emergency: 613-236-1222
- Fraud Unit
Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre:
- 1-888-495-8501
- antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca
Crime Stoppers:
- 1-800-222-8477 (anonymous)
Support
Victim Services Ottawa:
- 613-238-2762
- Emotional support and guidance
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do scammers know I have grandchildren? A: Information comes from social media, public records, or random calls. Many scammers dial numbers and let victims reveal family details during the call.
Q: What if the voice really sounds like my grandchild? A: AI can now clone voices. Always verify through a separate call to a known number, regardless of how convincing the caller sounds.
Q: Will police actually ask a grandparent to post bail? A: No. Police don’t call family members to arrange bail payments. If someone is arrested, they’re informed of proper bail procedures through official channels.
Q: My parent was scammed—should I tell other family members? A: Yes, to prevent repeat targeting and to support the victim. Many scammers call back knowing someone was willing to pay once.
Q: Can I get my money back? A: Recovery is very difficult, especially for cash and gift cards. Report immediately—the sooner the better for any chance of recovery.
Final Thoughts
Grandparent scams are particularly cruel because they exploit the strongest human bonds. The criminals count on grandparents’ love overriding their caution. But that same love can be channelled into protection through preparation.
Talk to your family. Create a code word. Establish verification protocols. Make it clear that calling back to verify is not a sign of distrust—it’s a sign of wisdom.
And remember: No real grandchild would ever want their grandparent to sacrifice their savings. Anyone pressuring you to send money secretly and immediately is not who they claim to be.
Source: Ottawa Police Service, Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre - Compiled for Via Ottawa readers.
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