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How to protect yourself from the grandchild scam, a common online scam that targets retirees with grandkids.
Again, it hits you with an emotional hook, to try to bypass your logic and reasoning.
Remember the rules of phishing emails / texts, and see how many this call hits
1. Unfamiliar tone or greeting. "This is your grandchild", not 'hey Nonni'
4. Threats or urgency. I need cash now
6. Unusual requests. Probably, grandkids won't usually call begging for cash
7. Short and sweet. Most likely, as the longer they talk the more you might question
Another way to protect yourself is to avoid giving out personal information over the phone or online. Scammers often ask for personal information, such as your social security number or credit card details, to complete the scam. Never give out personal information to anyone over the phone or online, even if they claim to be a legitimate organization or company.
It's also important to be cautious when wiring money or sending gift cards. Scammers often ask for money to be sent through wire transfers or gift cards, as they're difficult to trace and recover. If someone asks you to wire money or send gift cards, it's likely a scam.
We hope these tips and strategies help you protect yourself from the grandchild scam. If you've fallen victim to this scam, don't hesitate to contact authorities and seek support from family or friends.
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