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Family Emergency Scams: How to Stay Calm and Protect Yourself

In this scam, someone calls or texts claiming a grandchild, child or friend is in jail, hurt or stranded and needs money right away. They count on panic. A few steps stop it every time.

Step by step

  1. Slow the call down. The scammer wants speed and secrecy. Take a breath. Say you will call back.
  2. Hang up and call the person directly. Use the number you already have, not one the caller gives you.
  3. Use a family safe word. Agree on a word or question only your family knows. A real relative can answer it. A scammer cannot.
  4. Never pay with gift cards, wire transfers or crypto. Anyone asking for these is almost certainly a scammer.
  5. Tell someone. Call another family member. Scammers hope you will keep it secret.

A prompt you can copy

Type this into ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini

Help me come up with a family safe word system I can explain to my kids and grandkids in a few friendly sentences.

Good to know. Voices can now be copied by software. A familiar voice is no longer proof of who is calling.

Want to try this with a friendly teacher?

Join a free live class on Zoom. Small group, no experience needed, no sign-up fee.

Reserve a free seat

Common questions

Can scammers really copy someone's voice?

Yes, a short recording is enough for some tools. That is why a safe word helps.

Who can I report this to?

In the United States, report to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and tell your local police.

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