Family Safe Word: Beat AI Voice-Clone Scams
A call comes in: it sounds just like your grandson, and he says he's in trouble and needs money right now. Today, a voice like that can be faked with AI. One simple word can protect your family.
New to AI? Start with AI Basics in Plain English.
The FBI's 2025 Internet Crime Report has a section on artificial intelligence being used in cybercrime (FBI IC3 2025 report).
Step by step
- Choose a safe word or phrase that's easy to remember but impossible to guess, like "purple pancakes." Never post it online.
- Share it in person or by phone with your children, grandchildren, and anyone who might call you in an emergency.
- Agree on the rule: if someone asks for money or help urgently, ask for the safe word. No word means no money.
- Have AI write a printable family card:
Write a short, friendly one-page "Family Emergency Call Plan" for a grandparent. Include: (1) always ask for our family safe word, (2) hang up and call the person back on the number I already have, (3) never pay with gift cards, wire, or crypto, (4) a short script I can say to a caller who pressures me. Use large, simple wording.
- Practice once. Ask a grandchild to "test" you on the phone.
What to say to a pressuring caller
Give me three polite but firm sentences I can say to a caller claiming to be my relative in trouble, so I can end the call and verify.
Hang up and call your family member back on the number you already have. A real emergency can wait two minutes.
Safety rule: Never type your Social Security number, Medicare number, passwords, or bank account numbers into an AI tool. Always check health and money answers with a professional.