Grandchild Needs Bail Money? Not Likely.
We share these true stories of member experiences to help you avoid falling victim to a scam. If you ever have questions about the validity of a request for money or information about your account, contact us.
If you’re a grandparent, watch out.
This scam begins with the thief calling you on the phone, posing as your grandchild. They’ll even use the correct name, which they may have pulled from social media. The caller, pretending to be your grandchild, will then ask for money for bail. Your real grandchild is safe at home unaware that Grandpa or Grandma is about to be scammed.
What to do:
- Before sending money, a check, or gift cards, call your grandchild directly (or their parent) and find out if they are actually in jail. Don’t use phone numbers provided by the caller – they’re fake.
- If you can’t get a hold of your grandchild or their parent to verify the call’s authenticity, contact us at the credit union and we’ll help.
Other versions of this scam
Many variations of this “plea for help” scam happen to our members every day.
"Grandpa or Grandma, I need money because..." :
- My car broke down
- My dishwasher broke, causing extensive water damage
- I need money for groceries
- I’ve been kidnapped
- My wallet was stolen (or lost) while away from home
Remember:
- Call them at the phone number you have for them.
- Ask questions that could trip up a scammer: middle name, your pet’s name, a favorite shared memory, etc.
- Hang up and call the credit union. We can help.
If ever in doubt, contact us for help. You can also visit our Security page for more tips.