Warning to grandparents as 1 phone call could “wipe out” life savings | UK | News

Fraud against grandparents is one of the fastest-growing forms of financial crime in the UK, with scammers increasingly focusing on trusting pensioners who may be more likely to fall foul of an unexpected caller, text or email. While many families assume fraud mainly hits younger people who spend much of their life online, experts say criminals are deliberately shifting their attention towards grandparents, often because it’s easier to exploit trust than it is to crack passwords.

In the past six months alone, fresh reports linked to so-called “grandparent” style scams and impersonation fraud have continued to surface across the UK, with victims sometimes losing four-figure sums in a single interaction. In early September 2025, for example, Police Service of Northern Ireland announced an extradition arrest connected to a “grandparent scam,” underlining how organised and cross-border some of these operations can be. Separately, regional police have also warned about spikes in impersonation calls where criminals pose as police or banks, a tactic that often targets older residents and leans heavily on panic and authority.

Mark Baars, a tech expert at Unit4, says older adults are now viewed by criminals as one of the most attractive groups to exploit.

He said: “Older adults are seen as a prime target because they often have stable incomes, decent savings and strong credit histories built up over decades. From a scammer’s point of view, it’s a high-reward opportunity with relatively low effort.”

He adds that many fraudsters rely less on technology and more on psychology.

“This type of fraud isn’t about hacking systems. It’s about manipulating trust, authority and urgency. If someone believes they’re helping a loved one or protecting their savings, they’re far more likely to act quickly.”

One of the most common scams currently circulating is the grandparent scam, where criminals pose as a grandchild or close relative claiming to be in trouble.

“These calls often start with something vague like ‘It’s me, I need help,’” Mark says. “Once the scammer establishes an emotional hook, they introduce an urgent problem such as a legal issue, a medical bill or a fine that must be paid immediately.”

He explains that criminals often instruct victims not to tell anyone, which increases the pressure. “Secrecy is a huge red flag. Scammers rely on isolation because the moment a second person is involved, the story usually falls apart.”

Other increasingly common tactics include fake bank fraud alerts, spoofed phone numbers that appear to come from trusted institutions, and emails or texts designed to rush someone into clicking a link or moving money.

While financial losses can be severe, Mark stresses that the emotional impact is often even greater.

He said: “Many victims feel deep embarrassment after the fact, even though they’ve done nothing wrong.

“That shame can stop people from reporting what happened or asking for help, which only benefits the criminals.

“For someone in retirement, there may be no realistic way to rebuild those savings. That’s why this type of fraud can have lasting consequences for mental health and independence.”

Mark says families should pay close attention to changes in behaviour, not just finances.

“If an older relative suddenly seems anxious about money, unusually secretive, or mentions urgent payments that don’t quite add up, those are warning signs,” he explains. “Scammers create panic so people don’t have time to think things through.”

He also warns that fraudsters may impersonate professionals. “We’re seeing more cases where scammers pretend to be bank staff, police officers or utility providers. The authority sounds convincing, especially over the phone.”

According to Mark, prevention starts with communication rather than technology.

“Staying connected is one of the most effective protections,” he says. “Regular conversations reduce isolation and make it easier for older adults to sense when something doesn’t feel right.”

He advises families to have clear, calm discussions about scams before anything happens. “Explain that legitimate organisations will never ask for passwords, full PINs or urgent transfers over the phone. Framing it as information rather than fear makes it easier to absorb.”

Mark also highlights the importance of financial safeguards. “Monitoring bank statements, setting up transaction alerts and naming a trusted contact with financial institutions can create extra layers of protection without removing independence.”