Resource
Family scam safety checklist
Use this printable family scam safety checklist to set safe words, verify urgent calls, avoid gift cards or crypto, and report suspicious messages.
Reviewed June 10, 2026
Set a family pause rule
A shared pause rule makes urgent messages easier to handle. Agree that no one sends money, gift cards, crypto, payment app transfers, or account codes until the story is verified through another trusted channel.
- Choose a family safe word for emergency calls.
- Keep a short list of trusted phone numbers.
- Agree that secrecy is a warning sign, not a reason to act faster.
- Verify through a second person before sending money.
Print and keep nearby
This page should be readable when printed. Keep a copy near a phone, desk, or family message area for quick reference during urgent calls.
Trusted sources
Scammers use AI to enhance their family emergency schemes
Federal Trade Commission
FTC guidance explains that scammers may use voice cloning and emergency stories to push people into sending money.
AI Makes It Next to Impossible to Detect Scams. Now What?
AARP
AARP guidance describes current AI-enabled fraud, including deepfake video, cloned voices, and realistic messages.
Phone Scams
Federal Trade Commission
FTC guidance explains common phone scam signs, including pressure, threats, spoofed caller ID, and unusual payment demands.
Common questions
What is a family safe word?
It is a private word or phrase family members can use to help verify urgent calls or messages.
Should the safe word be shared by text?
Avoid posting it in shared or public places. Treat it like private family verification information.
What if the caller sounds like my family member?
Still verify another way. Voice cloning and panic can make calls feel real.
What is the safest first step?
Hang up or pause the message, then call the person or another trusted contact through a known number.