When a Familiar Voice Isn't Who You Think
04/17/2026
By: Madi Reynolds
It starts with a phone call.
A grandmother picks up, and on the other end is a voice she instantly recognizes—her grandson. He sounds panicked. He says he’s in jail. There’s been an accident. He needs help, and he needs it now.
He begs her not to tell anyone. He says there’s no time. The only way to get him out is to send money immediately—gift cards, wire transfer, anything she can do.
Her heart races. She doesn’t stop to question it. She just wants to help.
And that’s exactly what scammers are counting on.
“One of the most common scams we’re seeing right now is what they call the grandparent scam,” says Jeff Quinton, Information Security Officer. “Someone will call pretending to be a grandchild in an urgent situation, asking for money right away.”
In many cases, the scammer doesn’t just rely on a convincing story—they rely on emotion. Fear. Urgency. Love. The call is designed to create panic, making it difficult to think clearly or pause long enough to verify what’s actually happening.
“They’ll say they need money wired, or they’ll ask for Visa or Apple gift cards and have you send photos of the numbers,” Quinton explains. “They want you to act fast.”
And increasingly, these scams are becoming even more believable. With access to social media and new technology, scammers can gather personal details or even mimic voices making the situation feel real enough to override any hesitation.
But the grandparent scam is just one example of a broader pattern.
Whether it’s a phone call, email, or text message, scammers rely on urgency to drive action. You might get a message claiming your account has been compromised, your utilities are about to be shut off, or even that there’s a legal warrant out for your arrest.
“They’re going to try and make it feel urgent,” Quinton says. “Click here now to fix it. Pay this immediately. Don’t hang up.”
That pressure is intentional. As Quinton points out, “Human nature we’re trusting. We want to follow instructions.” Scammers use that instinct against us, often posing as trusted organizations like banks, government agencies, or tech companies.
At the same time, they’ll make things look legitimate—using official logos, building websites that mirror real ones, or sending emails that appear to come from familiar brands. A quick click or a moment of panic can be all it takes.
There are warning signs, though if you know where to look.
Requests for payment through gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers are one of the biggest red flags. These methods are nearly impossible to trace or recover, which is exactly why scammers use them.
“No legitimate business is going to ask you to go get gift cards and send them pictures,” Quinton says.
Another sign is high-pressure language. Messages that demand immediate action or threaten consequences are designed to keep you in an emotional state, where you’re less likely to stop and think.
And in scams like the grandparent call, there’s often one more critical detail: secrecy.
“They’ll tell you not to tell anyone,” Quinton says. “That’s a big red flag.”
If you ever receive a call like this, the most important thing you can do is pause. Hang up. Take a breath. Then verify the situation by calling your family member directly using a number you already have.
That simple step can stop a scam in its tracks.
“If they contacted you first, don’t trust it,” Quinton says. “Hang up, look up the number yourself, and call them back.”
In a moment that feels urgent and emotional, slowing down might feel counterintuitive. But it’s often the one thing scammers don’t expect and the one thing that can protect you and your loved ones from becoming a victim.
If something feels off, trust your instincts. Hang up. Look up the number. Call back using a trusted source.
Your safety matters—and we’re here to help every step of the way.