How to Spot Emergency and Grandparent Scams

April 10, 2026

A mature woman with medium skin tone and long, greying hair, holds her phone in front of her, smiling slightly as she speaks. With flowers on the windowsill beside her, she looks out the window with an expression of familiarity, as if she recognizes the voice on the phone.

The Grandparent Scam is one of the most heartless forms of telephone fraud in use today, and it’s becoming more sophisticated all the time. With tricks that include phone impersonation and AI voice cloning, scammers are pulling out all the stops to fool and coerce vulnerable victims, especially the elderly.

What is an Emergency Scam (also known as a Grandparent Scam)?

A Grandparent scam is a type of vishing (voice phishing) fraud where criminals play on your emotions and get your hard-earned cash. With new technologies such as AI voice cloning and caller ID spoofing, these scams are more convincing than ever. Typically, they request funds for hospital fees, court fees, bail or a ransom.

How to spot an Emergency Scam/Grandparent Scam

Scammers aim to trick victims into believing an emergency requires them to send funds. In the Grandparent variation, a grandchild is in trouble and in need of emergency funds.
Scammers usually request a large amount of cash to be picked up via courier, deposited into a Bitcoin or Automated Banking Machine (“ABM”), or sent via wire transfer or another money transfer service.
The caller may pretend to cry when speaking. This is deliberately done to disguise their voice, making the victim think they are speaking to their distraught relative.
Victims are often coached by the scammers to provide a different purpose for the funds when withdrawing in branch to avoid suspicion.
Common statements from scammers include:
- “Don’t tell mom or dad! They’ll be upset.”
- “There is a gag order from a judge! Don’t tell your bank or anyone else what the money is for, or you could be imprisoned or fined!”

What is voice cloning and how to prevent it

AI voice cloning is a game changer for scammers. How is it done? It can be as simple as using short audio clips pulled from social media or even your voicemail to create a fake version of someone’s voices.

To protect yourself from voice cloning, keep your social media accounts private and be aware that posting videos or audio clips publicly makes it much easier for attackers to clone your voice.

How to protect yourself from Grandparent Scams

Q. What should I do if a loved one calls urgently asking for money?

A. Verify the caller’s identity by calling your loved one back on a number that you know is real. Don’t trust the number that was used to call you.

Q. What if I’m being strongly pressured to act immediately?

A. Take 5 and Tell 2: pause for five minutes and talk to two trusted people before taking any action. A fresh perspective can help you spot a scam.

Q. Would it be easier to send money and verify the call later?

A. No. Never send cash, wire transfers, or gift cards to someone you don’t know—even if the story tugs at your heart.

Q. Besides calling them, is there a way to be sure that it’s a family member who’s calling me?

A. Consider establishing a “family password” that only your real loved ones would know. Use it to verify identities in emergencies.

Q. How can I be best prepared in case I’m called by a scammer?

A. Be vigilant and keep up to date on the latest scams in your area. Share what you’ve learned with family and friends, especially older adults who may be targeted.

Q. What do I do if I think I’ve been scammed?

A. Reach out immediately to your local police or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

Learn more about protecting what’s yours

If you encounter a scam, or believe you have been the victim of fraud, Meridian recommends that you:

Report the incident to your local police immediately
Talk to our Fraud Team at 1-866-592-2226
Report the incident to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre

Legal Notice and Disclaimer of Liability

Information provided by Meridian Credit Union Ltd. in this article is for informational purposes only, and we cannot guarantee it is accurate or complete or current at all times. This information is not intended to provide financial or legal advice and should not be relied upon in that regard.

Meridian Credit Union communications are intended for informational purposes only and do not constitute financial advice or an opinion on any issue. We would be pleased to provide additional details or advice about specific situations if desired.

For permission to republish this content, please contact Meridian at [email protected].