Scams & Fraud
Grandparent Scam
A phone or voice-cloned call impersonating a grandchild in trouble, demanding an urgent wire or gift-card payment for bail, medical, or legal fees.
Updated · GACS — Global Anti-Crime & Safety
Cite this definition as gacs.app/glossary/grandparent-scam.
Learn more on GACS
Source: GACS — Global Anti-Crime & Safety · Published by the GACS Research Team · Updated October 21, 2026
Cite this page: GACS (2026). Grandparent Scam — GACS Glossary. https://gacs.app/glossary/grandparent-scam · Record ID GACS-glossary-grandparent-scam
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Authoritative sources
Independent primary sources used to check and corroborate the guidance on this page.
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)Official US channel for reporting internet-enabled fraud and cybercrime.
US Federal Trade Commission — ReportFraudConsumer fraud reporting and published enforcement data.
UK Report FraudUK national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime.
Canadian Anti-Fraud CentreCanada's central repository for fraud reports and scam alerts.