Family imposter scams are designed to scare you into believing that someone you care about is in trouble. The scammers' goal is to get you to send money fast, without taking time to verify the story first.

Here's how it works: The scammer phones you, pretending to be a grandchild who's been jailed after a car accident. They may say they're in serious trouble because their car hit a pregnant woman or a police officer. The imposter begs you to send bail money right away and asks you not to tell anyone else.

It's not just grandparents who get these calls. People have reported getting scam calls from imposters posing as their grown children, nephews, or nieces.

Family imposter scams seem real. The scammer may have accomplices who pretend to be deputies, court officials, or attorneys. They often fake their caller ID – a practice known as spoofing – so it looks like the sheriff or the court is calling you.

Some Cuyahoga County residents have foiled these scams by asking questions only family would know the answer to. Others develop family code words to use when they're in trouble. If you plan to use a code word, occasionally review it with family members so everyone remembers what it is.

Keep in mind, scammers may already know the names of your family members when they contact you. Take time to check your social media privacy settings and limit what you and your family share publicly. You can visit our Internet Safety page to learn how.