How do scammers typically execute the Grandparent Scam?

The Grandparent Scam is a classic form of fraud that specifically targets older adults, who are often seen as more vulnerable. Scammers executing this scheme typically impersonate a grandchild in urgent distress—such as claiming to be in a car accident or needing immediate help while traveling. They usually request money directly, often through wire transfer, which makes it difficult to trace or recover the funds.

A critical aspect of this scam is that the con artist will instruct their victims not to tell anyone, including other family members, which isolates the victim and prevents them from seeking verification. This manipulation plays on emotions and the urgency of the situation, leading the victim to act quickly without thinking through the legitimacy of the request.

The other options describe different types of scams that do not focus on the emotional manipulation tied to familial relationships central to the Grandparent Scam. While email scams, vacation offers, and fake charities can certainly exploit the elderly, they lack the personal connection and the specific strategy of impersonation and secrecy that characterize this particular scam.