Is "grandchild called needs bail money wired immediately" a scam?

Question

Is "grandchild called needs bail money wired immediately" a scam? How do I know, and what should I do?

Accepted Answer

Yes — this is a known, dangerous scam. A caller pretends to be a grandchild (or that grandchild's lawyer) saying they have been arrested after a car crash and need bail money wired or paid in gift cards immediately. The caller begs the victim not to tell other family members. Red flags: Urgency and secrecy — 'don't tell mom and dad, I'm embarrassed' • Payment demanded as gift cards, wire transfer, cash courier, or cryptocurrency • The caller's voice sounds slightly off and they avoid specifics that only the real grandchild would know • A 'lawyer' or 'bail bondsman' calls back to keep the pressure on. What to do: Hang up. Take a breath. Call your grandchild's known number directly to verify • Ask the caller a question only the real person would know — but real scammers will hang up if you try • Real bail bondsmen and lawyers do not ask for gift cards or cryptocurrency, ever • Do not give your address to anyone who offers to send a courier to pick up cash • Report to the FTC at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov and the FBI's IC3 at https://www.ic3.gov.

Is “grandchild called needs bail money wired immediately” a scam?

How to tell

What to do right now