← All tipsScams and fakes
Your family needs a safe word
Scammers can clone a voice from a short clip posted online. Hang up, call back, and ask for the word.
Send this to the family chat
If you ever get a panicked call from one of us asking for money: hang up, call back on the number you know, and ask for our safe word. If you can't reach us, call someone else in the family before sending anything.
Why it works
The FTC warns that a short audio clip can be enough to clone a voice, and the FBI recommends a secret word or phrase to verify family members. The fix is a process, not a tool: a second channel and a shared secret.
- Last checked
- October 16, 2026