The FBI calls it a "distress scam." It is also known as a grandparent scam.The scam works by making an older adult believe a grandchild is in serious trouble and needs money right away, often before a court date or legal deadline.
Victims reported more than $5 million in losses to this type of fraud in 2025.The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center also noted that reported losses likely show only part of what scammers actually stole.The Federal Trade Commission found in August 2025 that some of the fastest-growing scams targeting older adults use fear and urgency to override good judgment.
A caller may claim your bank account was hacked and say you need to move your money immediately to protect it.However, the money does not move to safety.
It goes straight to the scammer.HOW TO HAND OFF DATA PRIVACY RESPONSIBILITIES FOR OLDER ADULTS TO A TRUSTED LOVED ONEAI voice-cloning tools have made these scams even more convincing.Scammers can use a birthday video, voicemail or social media clip to mimic a grandchild's voice.
Then they place the call.The voice sounds familiar, the emergency feels real and the request for bail money seems urgent.
The FBI counted $352 million in AI-related scam losses among victims 60 and older this past year.Scammers are using stolen personal data, AI voice cloning and urgent phone calls to trick grandparents into sending money.(ljubaphoto/Getty Images)The same three pieces of data are required for identity verification at most banks, brokerages, pension recordkeepers, and Medicare: date of birth, last four digits of a Social Security number, and a current mailing address.
For most people in their sixties and seventies, all of those accounts are open.Those three fields have turned up in breach after breach.The Conduent Business Services breach pulled names, SSNs, dates of birth, and home addresses for more than 25 million Americans from systems that process Medicaid records and employer health plans.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton cal...