Protecting Seniors from the Grandparent Scam: How Truist Teammates Fight Elder Fraud
Few relationships are as treasured as the one shared between grandparents and their grandchildren. Sadly, scammers have learned to exploit this emotional bond to deceive older adults out of millions of dollars each year. Known as the grandparent scam, this form of fraud uses emotional manipulation to blur judgment and trigger panic in caring grandparents. It often begins with a phone call and a simple, deceptive question: “Hi Grandpa, do you know who this is?”
How the Scam Unfolds
In this particularly heartless scheme, criminals pose as a grandchild—reaching out by phone, text, or email—claiming to be in serious trouble and urgently in need of money. The fabricated emergencies can range from being arrested, kidnapped, or stranded abroad, to needing funds for bail, ransom, or a ticket home. Out of love and concern, many grandparents are persuaded to send money immediately.
As technology advances, these scams are becoming more convincing. With the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), fraudsters can now mimic voices or generate realistic messages, making it even harder for seniors to tell truth from deception. Unfortunately, this means more older adults are at risk than ever before.
A Growing Crisis
Elder fraud continues to escalate, demanding consistent action from law enforcement, community organizations, and the public. The FBI reported that in 2024, Americans aged 60 and older lost more than $4.9 billion to scams—an alarming 43% increase over the previous year. More than 147,000 seniors fell victim, with an average loss of $83,000 each, far exceeding other age groups.
Common scams targeting seniors include investment fraud, tech support schemes, and romance scams. These crimes cause deep financial and emotional harm, often leaving victims with little opportunity to recover. Combating elder fraud has therefore become a top priority for both communities and authorities nationwide.
Teammates Taking a Stand Against Elder Fraud
Katie McBride, a Senior Communications Specialist who has been with Truist for seven years, witnessed the painful reality of elder exploitation firsthand during her time as a Senior Relationship Banker.
“I sadly saw cases where elderly clients were taken advantage of by people they trusted—caretakers or acquaintances who accessed their accounts and made unauthorized transactions,” she recalled.
This experience motivated McBride to learn more about how caretakers are chosen and what safeguards can be put in place to protect clients’ finances. “It required patience and care, but I wanted to ensure they received the protection they truly deserved,” she said.
McBride emphasizes that Truist teammates play a vital role in educating seniors about scams—whether in their professional roles or through volunteer work. “Empowering older adults with knowledge not only secures their assets but also helps them feel confident navigating an increasingly digital world,” she explained. “They’ve worked their entire lives to build savings and deserve to enjoy retirement without fear.”
Mike Kelley, from Truist’s Corporate Cyber Security Team, shares that commitment. His personal purpose statement is: “To inspire and build better lives by safeguarding individuals from cybercrime and empowering others through knowledge.”
A longtime advocate for community education, Kelley serves on the board of the FBI Baltimore Citizens Academy Alumni Association, a nonprofit organization that supports the FBI’s community outreach efforts. The academy gives community leaders an inside look at the FBI’s work, covering topics like fraud, cybersecurity, and human trafficking.
Through this initiative, Kelley recently partnered with the AARP Fraud Watch Network and the FBI’s Complex Financial Crimes Unit, hosting educational events on senior fraud and World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. “We reached hundreds of people in the community,” he shared.
Over his 16 years at Truist, Kelley has consistently used education to help protect clients and communities. “If even one person avoids becoming a victim, the effort is worth it,” he said.
Jason Yaber, a Financial Crimes Investigator on Truist’s Vulnerable Adult Exploitation Team, investigates fraud cases targeting older adults. He has seen firsthand how persistent scammers can be, even after clients are warned.
“Despite repeated education efforts, some seniors still fall victim and lose their entire life savings,” Yaber said. “We treat every case as if the client were our own family member.”
Though scammers continue to find new ways to exploit the elderly, Truist teammates like McBride, Kelley, and Yaber remain steadfast in their mission to protect and empower vulnerable individuals, ensuring they can manage their finances with confidence and peace of mind.
Click here to know more about the grandparent scam.
How the Scam Unfolds
In this particularly heartless scheme, criminals pose as a grandchild—reaching out by phone, text, or email—claiming to be in serious trouble and urgently in need of money. The fabricated emergencies can range from being arrested, kidnapped, or stranded abroad, to needing funds for bail, ransom, or a ticket home. Out of love and concern, many grandparents are persuaded to send money immediately.
As technology advances, these scams are becoming more convincing. With the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), fraudsters can now mimic voices or generate realistic messages, making it even harder for seniors to tell truth from deception. Unfortunately, this means more older adults are at risk than ever before.
A Growing Crisis
Elder fraud continues to escalate, demanding consistent action from law enforcement, community organizations, and the public. The FBI reported that in 2024, Americans aged 60 and older lost more than $4.9 billion to scams—an alarming 43% increase over the previous year. More than 147,000 seniors fell victim, with an average loss of $83,000 each, far exceeding other age groups.
Common scams targeting seniors include investment fraud, tech support schemes, and romance scams. These crimes cause deep financial and emotional harm, often leaving victims with little opportunity to recover. Combating elder fraud has therefore become a top priority for both communities and authorities nationwide.
Teammates Taking a Stand Against Elder Fraud
Katie McBride, a Senior Communications Specialist who has been with Truist for seven years, witnessed the painful reality of elder exploitation firsthand during her time as a Senior Relationship Banker.
“I sadly saw cases where elderly clients were taken advantage of by people they trusted—caretakers or acquaintances who accessed their accounts and made unauthorized transactions,” she recalled.
This experience motivated McBride to learn more about how caretakers are chosen and what safeguards can be put in place to protect clients’ finances. “It required patience and care, but I wanted to ensure they received the protection they truly deserved,” she said.
McBride emphasizes that Truist teammates play a vital role in educating seniors about scams—whether in their professional roles or through volunteer work. “Empowering older adults with knowledge not only secures their assets but also helps them feel confident navigating an increasingly digital world,” she explained. “They’ve worked their entire lives to build savings and deserve to enjoy retirement without fear.”
Mike Kelley, from Truist’s Corporate Cyber Security Team, shares that commitment. His personal purpose statement is: “To inspire and build better lives by safeguarding individuals from cybercrime and empowering others through knowledge.”
A longtime advocate for community education, Kelley serves on the board of the FBI Baltimore Citizens Academy Alumni Association, a nonprofit organization that supports the FBI’s community outreach efforts. The academy gives community leaders an inside look at the FBI’s work, covering topics like fraud, cybersecurity, and human trafficking.
Through this initiative, Kelley recently partnered with the AARP Fraud Watch Network and the FBI’s Complex Financial Crimes Unit, hosting educational events on senior fraud and World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. “We reached hundreds of people in the community,” he shared.
Over his 16 years at Truist, Kelley has consistently used education to help protect clients and communities. “If even one person avoids becoming a victim, the effort is worth it,” he said.
Jason Yaber, a Financial Crimes Investigator on Truist’s Vulnerable Adult Exploitation Team, investigates fraud cases targeting older adults. He has seen firsthand how persistent scammers can be, even after clients are warned.
“Despite repeated education efforts, some seniors still fall victim and lose their entire life savings,” Yaber said. “We treat every case as if the client were our own family member.”
Though scammers continue to find new ways to exploit the elderly, Truist teammates like McBride, Kelley, and Yaber remain steadfast in their mission to protect and empower vulnerable individuals, ensuring they can manage their finances with confidence and peace of mind.
Click here to know more about the grandparent scam.
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