Family Emergencies
'It's your grandson, I'm in trouble' — including voice-cloned calls.
'Mom/Dad, I Lost My Phone — New Number' Text
A text claims to be your child from a new number after losing their phone, then asks you to pay a bill or send money urgently.
Read the guide →'Stranded Relative Abroad — Wire Money' Scam
A message claims your relative is stranded overseas — robbed, arrested, or hospitalized — and urgently needs money wired to get home.
Read the guide →'Your Son Hit My Car' Settlement Scam
A caller claims your child or grandchild damaged their car and wants a quick private cash settlement to avoid insurance or police.
Read the guide →AI Voice-Clone Family-Emergency Call
Scammers clone a loved one's voice from a few seconds of audio to fake an emergency and demand fast, secret payment. (Also listed under F30 Emerging/AI.)
Read the guide →Bail-Bond / Lawyer-Fee Impersonation
After a fake 'family emergency' call, a supposed lawyer or bail bondsman calls to collect bail or legal fees urgently and secretly.
Read the guide →Fake Military-Family Emergency
A caller impersonates the military, Red Cross, or a deployed relative to claim an emergency requiring immediate money for travel, communications, or care.
Read the guide →Grandparent Scams
A caller pretends to be your grandchild in trouble and begs for secret, urgent money.
Read the guide →Hospital 'Relative in an Accident — Pay Now' Scam
A caller posing as a hospital or doctor says your relative was in an accident and needs an immediate payment for treatment before care can proceed.
Read the guide →Virtual Kidnapping Ransom Call
A caller claims to have kidnapped your loved one, with screaming in the background, and demands an immediate ransom — but no one has actually been taken.
Read the guide →
Not sure which one you’ve got?
Paste the message into ScamSplainand we’ll tell you what it looks like.