Grandparent Emergency Scam
CONFIRMED THREAT
Scammers pose as grandchild in crisis—arrested, hospitalized, stranded. Modern versions use AI voice cloning. FBI IC3: 357 complaints, $2.7M losses in 2024.
phone
→4 confirmed active threats
🎭Impersonation Scams
Impersonation scams exploit trust. Criminals pose as grandchildren (grandparent scam — 357 complaints, $2.7M), utility companies, banks, or Medicare. AI voice cloning makes fake emergency calls extremely convincing. Always hang up and call back on a known number.
4
Patterns Documented
4
Confirmed Threats
0
High Risk
$16.6B
Reported Losses, 2024 (IC3)
Data sourced from FBI IC3 2024 Annual Report. Data reflects complaints submitted to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) and may not represent all incidents. ZeroScam is an educational tool and is not affiliated with the FBI.
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Clear filter ×All Patterns (85)₿ Cryptocurrency Scams(4)$6.6B💳 Payment & BEC Scams(9)$2.8B💻 Tech Support Scams(5)$1.5B🔓 Personal Data Breach(2)$1.5B🛒 Online Purchase Scams(5)💔 Romance Scams(3)🏛️ Government Impersonation(6)🏢 Corporate Data Breach(3)💼 Job & Employment Scams(6)🏧 Crypto ATM & Kiosk Scams(3)🥇 Gold Courier Scams(2)🪪 Identity Theft(3)🏠 Rental Scams(2)🔒 Extortion & Blackmail(1)🎰 Prize & Lottery Scams(1)🎣 Phishing & Smishing(3)📦 Delivery & Shipping Scams(4)🎭 Impersonation Scams(4)🤖 AI-Powered Scams(5)📱 Social Media Scams(2)📞 Telemarketing Scams(1)🏥 Healthcare Scams(1)🏦 Financial Service Scams(2)🔧 Service Provider Scams(2)🎗️ Charity Scams(1)🗳️ Election & Civic Scams(2)🧬 Synthetic Identity Fraud(2)🔄 Recovery Scams(1)
Threat Levels
CONFIRMED THREAT— Actively reported to FBI IC3
HIGH RISK— Significant victim reports
EMERGING— Recently identified pattern
Utility Shutoff Threat Scam
CONFIRMED THREAT
Scammers claim to be your electric/gas/water company threatening immediate shutoff. Real utilities send multiple written notices.
phone
→Bank Impersonation Scam
CONFIRMED THREAT
Scammers pose as your bank's fraud department. Your bank will never ask you to move money to protect it.
phonesms
→Attorney Impersonation Scam
CONFIRMED THREAT
Scammers pose as lawyers claiming to represent someone suing you, or offering to help with fake legal matters for upfront fees.
phoneemailmail
→Common Questions About Impersonation Scams
What is the grandparent scam?▼
Scammers call as your grandchild in trouble — arrested, hospitalized. AI can clone voices from social media. FBI tracked 357 complaints and $2.7M losses in 2024. Hang up and call them directly.
How do I verify a call from my bank?▼
Hang up. Call using the number on your card. Never trust caller ID — scammers spoof numbers.
Would my utility call threatening shutoff?▼
They send written notices first, never threaten same-day shutoff by phone, never demand gift cards. Hang up and call your bill number.
How do I protect elderly family?▼
Establish family code word. Discuss scams. Encourage hanging up and calling back. Remind them it's okay to say no.
📖 How to Use This Database
- ✓Browse patterns to learn scammer tactics before you encounter them
- ✓Share specific pattern pages with family members who may be targeted
- ✓Use our scanner to check suspicious messages against all 85 patterns
- ✓Report scams to FBI IC3 and FTC using links on each pattern page
⚖️ Important Information
This database is provided for educational and informational purposes only. Pattern data is derived from publicly available FBI IC3 reports and ongoing research.
ZeroScam does not guarantee detection of all scams. Always exercise caution and verify independently before sending money or personal information.
Not legal or financial advice. If you have been victimized, contact local law enforcement and file reports with FBI IC3 and FTC.
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73% of Americans report being targeted(Pew Research, 2025 survey)
|$470M reported in text-related fraud(FTC, 2024)
|$16.6B in total reported losses(FBI IC3, 2024)