A call sounds like my grandchild begging for bail money. Is it fake?
Check who called and what happened before you send money.
A copied voice can sound like your grandchild. A real upset caller can sound different too. The sound alone cannot settle it.
Do not pay while a surprise caller pressures you. Check through known contacts and the jail or lawyer they name.
A claim about bail needs a real source. You do not have to prove that AI made the voice.
- End the call. Do not share codes, card details or bank access.
- Call your grandchild on a saved number. Try another known family contact if there is no answer.
- If a jail or lawyer is named, find its real public contact yourself. Check the claim there.
- A family safe word is an extra check, not proof by itself. Do not use new numbers from the caller.
- If you paid, contact the payment service now. For immediate danger to a person, call local emergency services.
Make a practice plan for a call that sounds like a grandchild asking for bail money. Include a known callback, another family contact and a separate check with the jail or lawyer. Use no real names, numbers or family secrets.
Paste the message into ChatGPT, then fill in any blanks before you send it. ChatGPT opens in a new tab. Opening it does not send the message.
Do not pay a second caller who offers to get the money back for a fee.
Sources and more help
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