Imagine your phone ringing one afternoon.
You answer, and a distressed voice says, “Grandma? It’s me. I’m in trouble.”
Your grandson has been in a car accident, the caller explains. He’s been arrested, and he desperately needs money to get out of jail.
Then someone else takes the phone. They introduce themselves as a police officer or lawyer and explain how much money is needed to resolve the situation.
You’re frightened. You’re worried about your grandson. And naturally, you want to help.
But what if your grandson isn’t in trouble at all? What if the entire emergency is a lie?
Welcome to the grandparent scam, one of the cruelest forms of fraud because it takes advantage of something wonderful: how much we care about our families.
It’s Happened Right Here in Nanaimo
In September 2025, Nanaimo RCMP reported that a local resident had lost $1,700 after receiving a call from someone claiming to be a police officer.
The caller said her grandson had been arrested following a motor vehicle incident and needed money to be released.
Believing she was helping her grandson, the woman sent the money. Unfortunately, it was a scam.
Just a few weeks later, police reported another Nanaimo resident losing $2,000 after being told her grandson was in jail. This time, the scammers instructed her to purchase Bitcoin from a cryptocurrency machine.
These incidents highlight why it’s so important for families to understand how this type of fraud works.
Why Is the Grandparent Scam So Convincing?
Most scams try to tempt us with something we want, such as a prize, an investment opportunity, or an unexpected refund.
The grandparent scam takes a different approach.
Instead of offering you something, it threatens something you love.
Scammers create an urgent situation involving a family member and count on your emotions taking over.
They may claim that your loved one:
- Has been arrested and needs bail money.
- Was involved in a serious car accident.
- Is stranded somewhere and needs money to get home.
- Has been injured and urgently needs help paying expenses.
Often, another person joins the call pretending to be a lawyer or police officer. This makes the situation seem more official.
You might even be told not to contact other family members because the situation is embarrassing or confidential.
That’s no accident. The scammer doesn’t want you checking whether the story is true.
But What If the Voice Sounds Exactly Like Your Grandchild?
Here’s where modern technology makes things even more concerning.
Artificial intelligence can be used to imitate someone’s voice, potentially making a fraudulent call sound like it’s coming from someone you know.
And scammers don’t necessarily need to know your family personally.
Information shared publicly on social media can reveal names, relationships, travel plans, and other details that help make a fictional emergency sound believable.
So even if the caller knows your grandchild’s name, or their voice sounds familiar, don’t assume the call is genuine.
The important thing isn’t how convincing the caller sounds. It’s whether you’ve independently verified their story.
The Five-Minute Rule That Could Save You Thousands
If someone calls claiming that a loved one needs emergency financial help, here’s what I recommend.
1. Hang up and call your loved one directly.
Use the phone number you’ve always used to reach them, not one provided by the caller.
2. Contact another family member.
If you can’t reach your grandchild, call their parents, siblings, or someone else who may know where they are.
3. Don’t let anyone pressure you into secrecy.
If someone tells you not to discuss the situation with family, consider that a major warning sign.
4. Never send money simply because someone claims to be a police officer.
Canadian police and courts do not call demanding cash, cryptocurrency, or gift cards to release someone from jail.
5. Give yourself permission to slow down.
A legitimate emergency doesn’t mean you must hand over money without verifying what’s happening.
Remember, taking a few minutes to confirm someone’s identity isn’t refusing to help them. It’s making sure you’re helping the right person.
A Simple Family Plan Can Make a Big Difference
Here’s something you can do today, before a suspicious phone call ever happens.
Talk with your family about these scams.
Agree that if anyone receives an unexpected request for emergency money, they’ll first contact another family member using a trusted phone number.
You might also establish a private family verification phrase that can help confirm someone’s identity. Just remember that a phrase is an extra precaution, not a replacement for independently checking the situation.
And make sure everyone knows it’s perfectly acceptable to hang up, verify a story, and call back.
A little preparation can make an enormous difference when emotions are running high.
What If You’ve Already Sent Money?
If you discover you’ve been tricked, don’t be embarrassed to ask for help.
These scams are deliberately designed to create panic, and they can fool people of all ages.
Contact your bank or financial institution immediately and explain what happened. Depending on how the money was sent, there may be steps they can take to investigate or attempt to recover it.
Report the incident to your local police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
Keep any records you have, including phone numbers, emails, transaction receipts, and messages.
And most importantly, don’t let the experience stop you from reaching out to people you trust.
Protecting Your Family Starts With a Conversation
The grandparent scam is a reminder that criminals don’t always target our technology. Sometimes, they target our emotions.
The best defence is knowing that these scams exist and having a plan to verify unexpected requests.
Share this article with your parents, grandparents, children, or anyone who might benefit from knowing what to watch for.
At Your Tech Neighbour, we help Nanaimo seniors recognize suspicious calls, emails, and messages before they become costly mistakes.
Our Scam Protection service provides a trusted second opinion when something doesn’t seem quite right.
And if you’ve received a suspicious call or message, our guide, What to Do If You Think Something Is a Scam, explains what to do next.
Before you click. Before you answer. Before you pay. Before you panic.
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