Grandparent & Emergency Call Scams
Fake urgent calls claiming your family member is in trouble
This is not your fault.
These callers are trained to sound convincing. Even careful, intelligent people have been fooled. The important thing is to know what to do when it happens.
How the call usually goes
- 1The caller says your son, daughter, or grandchild is in serious trouble — an accident, in jail, or in hospital.
- 2They say money is needed urgently. They may pass the phone to someone pretending to be a police officer, doctor, or lawyer.
- 3They ask you to send money immediately — through UPI, by bank transfer, or sometimes through a courier.
- 4They beg you not to tell other family members yet, to avoid embarrassment.
What to do
Hang up the phone immediately.
You do not owe this caller any explanation.
Call your family member directly.
Use the number already saved in your phone. Do not call back the number that called you — it may be fake.
Call another family member to check.
Talk to a spouse, sibling, or child to confirm the situation before doing anything.
Do not send money until you have spoken to your family in person or by video call.
Real emergencies can wait five minutes for you to verify.
Real emergencies look different
- ✓ Hospitals call from their official number and are calm. They never demand immediate cash.
- ✓ Police contact you in writing, or come to your door. They do not ask for money over the phone.
- ✓ Your family member can also call you directly. If they truly cannot, another family member will.
If you already sent money
Please do not feel ashamed. Call your bank immediately and then call 1930. The sooner you report, the better the chance of getting your money back.