Morgan Stanley
Wealth Management
Online Security

Grandparent Scams

The bond between a grandparent and grandchild is unique. Unfortunately, fraudsters may exploit this loving, trusting relationship to trick you and steal your money.

Details and Signs of a Grandparent Scam

Out of the blue you get an email from your granddaughter who is studying abroad. She mentions the country where she’s living and says she’s in distress — her credit cards, passport and phone have all been stolen and she needs you to wire money to her international bank account right away. You’re not sure if this is legitimate or not but feel a sense of urgency to act. Before you do, consider the following scam indicators:

1

The request was made via a phone call, email, text message or even social media. 

2

Typically involves the fraudster posing as your grandchild or an authority figure (like a police officer, doctor or lawyer). 

3

The scammer concocts an urgent, troubling situation and pleads with you to keep the situation a secret.

4

Personal details found online are incorporated to make the scenario seem realistic.

Action Steps to Prevent Grandparent Scams

In the unfortunate event you fall victim to what you believe to be a scam, acting quickly can help limit the damage. 
  1. 1
    Contact Your Financial Institution

    If you provided financial account information, immediately contact your financial institutions and discuss cancelling fraudulent charges, obtaining a new credit/debit card or opening a new account.
  2. 2
    Seek Help From a Trusted Expert

    Seek help or advice from a trusted contact, such as your Morgan Stanley Financial Advisor. Their team can help you determine the validity of the outreach as well as further protect yourself and your accounts.
  3. 3
    Report To Law Enforcement

    Contact local law enforcement to report the scam, or if you believe your grandchild may be in danger.
  4. 4
    Report Your Situation

    Report the incident and file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)  ReportFraud.ftc.gov  for more information and specific actions to take based on your situation.

Tips and Best Practices

Grandparent scams are getting more sophisticated and trickier to distinguish. Here are some tips and best practices to help avoid these types of scams.

DO

Do confirm details with others, such as your grandchild’s parents or friends to verify the story you’re being told. If you speak to someone who claims to be a police officer, call the relevant law enforcement agency to confirm their identity.

DON’T

Don't panic, no matter how dire your grandchild’s situation sounds. Scam artists try their hardest to make you distraught and distract you from recognizing the scam.

DO

Do say you’ll call right back and then call the phone number that your grandchild usually uses. If they answer, then you will know the other call was a scam.

DON’T

Don't transfer money or provide financial information without confirming the identity of the receiver. Ensure the story you are hearing on the phone or reading via email is true, and call law enforcement to decide next steps.

DO

Do ask questions that only your grandchild would be able to answer and that couldn’t be gleaned from your social media presence.

DON'T

Don't volunteer any information. For example, if the scammer calls you pretending to be your grandchild, do not say their name; allow the caller to identify it.

DO

Do set the privacy settings on your social media accounts so only people whom you know and approve of can access your posts. Scammers will use your social media presence to gather information to better persuade you.

DON'T

Don't let your guard down because the number on the caller ID looks familiar or the email is coming from the account your grandchild typically uses. Scammers may be spoofing your grandchild’s phone number or may have compromised their email account.

Report an Online Security Concern

Contact us immediately at 888-454-3965 if you:

• Believe you may be the victim of fraud or identity theft
• Suspect your phone or email have been compromised
• Notice suspicious account activity
• Receive a questionable email or text that appears to be from Morgan Stanley

We’re open 24/7 to help you. For international clients, please contact your Morgan Stanley Client Representative immediately to report any online fraud or security concerns.

Other Scams to Be Aware Of

Wealth Management Tech Support Scams Fraud artists are savvy and can be very convincing. The Tech Support Scam is a popular social engineering technique, with several twists.
Wealth Management Advance Fees Scams If something sounds too good to be true, it usually is. Keeping that age-old adage in mind is the best way to spot and thwart Advance Fee Scams.
Wealth Management P2P Payment Scams More and more people are using mobile payment apps like Zelle®, Venmo® or CashApp®. P2P payments can make splitting the bill or paying for a service simple and convenient, but vigilance is key.
Wealth Management Romance Scams According to the FTC, Romance Scams are one of the top five scams targeting American seniors age 60 and above—and have increased significantly in recent years.
Tech Support Scams
Wealth Management Tech Support Scams
Advance Fees Scams
Wealth Management Advance Fees Scams
P2P Payment Scams
Wealth Management P2P Payment Scams
Romance Scams
Wealth Management Romance Scams

Sources:

https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/info-2019/grandparent.html

https://www.fcc.gov/watch-out-grandparent-scams

https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2021/04/dont-open-your-door-grandparent-scams

This material is provided for educational and informational purposes only and no representation of any kind is intended with respect to the practices described. Nothing in this article should be construed as a cybersecurity evaluation. Morgan Stanley is not responsible for determining what cybersecurity best practices are most appropriate for your needs.  While efforts have been made to assure the completeness and accuracy of the information as of the date of the presentation, no representation is made that such information is accurate or complete, and Morgan Stanley undertakes no obligation to update the information as its practices change. Reproduction, transmission, dissemination, or other use without authorization or attribution is prohibited.

This material may provide the addresses of, or contain hyperlinks to, websites. Except to the extent to which the material refers to website material of Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, the firm has not reviewed the linked site. Equally, except to the extent to which the material refers to website material of Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, the firm takes no responsibility for, and makes no representations or warranties whatsoever as to, the data and information contained therein. Such address or hyperlink (including addresses or hyperlinks to website material of Morgan Stanley Wealth Management) is provided solely for your convenience and information and the content of the linked site does not in any way form part of this document. Accessing such website or following such link through the material or the website of the firm shall be at your own risk and we shall have no liability arising out of, or in connection with, any such referenced website.

Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is a business of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC.

© 2025 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC.

CRC#4460280 (05/2025)

View Disclosures Close Disclosures