On Sunday morning, Kate’s phone rang.
“Nana? It’s your grandson,” the caller said, his voice shaky and full of urgency.
“Eddie? It’s so good to hear your voice,” Kate replied, pleasantly surprised—she hadn’t heard from her college-age grandson in a while and was happy he was reaching out.
What followed was a rushed and emotional story. Eddie claimed to be hospitalized with severe food poisoning while traveling in Costa Rica with friends. He said he needed $1,500 immediately to cover the hospital bill and secure release paperwork.
“Please don’t tell Mom and Dad,” he begged. “They told me not to go on this trip, and I don’t want them to be disappointed in me.”
His voice trembled, and Kate’s heart dropped. She felt a rush of concern and instinctively wanted to help. Eddie then asked her to buy Amazon gift cards and read the codes over the phone—explaining that the hospital couldn’t process international credit cards.
Panicked and worried, Kate quickly got dressed, grabbed her purse, and drove to the nearest store. As she stood at the checkout counter with $1,500 worth of gift cards in her hand, the cashier gently asked,“Ma’am, is someone asking you to buy these over the phone?”
Kate froze. The question jolted her out of her emotional fog. She looked down at the cards and suddenly remembered—Eddie was supposed to be on campus this weekend. Why would he call her instead of his parents? Why Amazon gift cards?
With growing suspicion, she stepped out of line and called her son. As soon as he answered, he confirmed what she had feared: Eddie was safe and sound at college, with no knowledge of the phone call.
Kate had narrowly avoided becoming the victim of a cruel scam—a scam specifically designed to exploit the trust, love, and quick action of caring grandparents like her.
Also known as a family emergency imposter scam, the grandparent scam targets older adults by preying on their love and concern for family members. Fraudsters impersonate grandchildren or relatives in distress—injured, arrested, stranded, or in danger—and request urgent money transfers, usually through untraceable payment methods like:
These scammers are convincing. They may glean personal details from social media or public records to sound more believable, and they often beg seniors to keep the situation secret. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), seniors lose over $20 million each year to this type of scam.
At LiveWell, our geriatric care managers educate and empower older adults to recognize the signs of financial exploitation. Cognitive changes, isolation, or emotional stress can make seniors more susceptible to manipulation. Even highly capable individuals can be caught off guard in moments of confusion or urgency.
Aging Life Care Professionals® at LiveWell can help by:
If you or someone you love receives a suspicious call:
Pause and verify – Call your grandchild or another family member directly to confirm their location and safety.Ask specific questions – Request personal details only your real grandchild would know, such as:
Never send money without confirmation – No legitimate emergency will require secrecy or immediate gift card payments.
Report the scam – Contact the FTC, your state’s attorney general, and any financial institutions or services involved (e.g., Western Union, MoneyGram).
Talk openly about scams at family gatherings so everyone—from grandparents to grandkids—is informed and alert.
Set up a family “code word” for emergencies. If someone calls claiming trouble, you can ask for the code to confirm their identity.
Register for call-blocking services and screen unfamiliar numbers.
Work with a geriatric care manager to ensure your loved one has ongoing support, advocacy, and education to stay protected.
If your loved one has fallen for a scam, they are not alone. Even smart, tech-savvy individuals have been fooled by emotional appeals. Reassure them, provide emotional support, and encourage them to share their experience to help others avoid the same trap.
At LiveWell Care Management, we know that aging well means staying safe, informed, and connected. We're here to walk alongside families through every stage of the aging journey—with expert guidance and compassionate care.
🌟 Want to help your loved one avoid scams and stay protected?
