Guide
How to not fall for scam calls
A family verification phrase is a simple test for scary messages.
If someone says they are your child, parent, partner, grandchild, or sibling and needs money right now, ask the phrase.
No phrase, no money.
Good phrase examples
Pick something memorable but not public.
Examples:
| Phrase type | Example |
|---|---|
| Old family object | "What did we call the old blue car?" |
| Private nickname | "What did grandma call the kitchen radio?" |
| Shared vacation detail | "What went wrong at the beach house?" |
| Family pet detail | "What was Max scared of?" |
| Inside joke | "What is the soup rule?" |
Do not use birthdays, addresses, pet names that are on Instagram, school names, or anything easy to find online.
If you are choosing this for an older parent, read how to protect parents from scams without taking over their phone. If it is for a child or teen, read how to protect kids from scams.
When to use it
Use it for:
- "I changed my number."
- "I am in trouble."
- "Do not tell anyone."
- "I need money today."
- AI voice calls.
- WhatsApp family impersonation.
- Grandparent scams.
The rule
Write this in the family chat:
"If someone asks for urgent money, codes, gift cards, crypto, or bank help, we ask the family phrase and call back through the old number."
Make it normal before anything happens.
Sources
- FTC, what to do if you were scammed: https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-do-if-you-were-scammed
- TIME coverage of FBI advice on AI vishing: https://time.com/7301176/impersonation-ai-voice-vishing-scam-rubio-wiles-trump-fbi-advice/
- Research on AI voice impersonation and vishing: https://arxiv.org/abs/2602.20061