Family emergency scam calls: how to stay safe

If a call from a loved one in trouble asks for money fast and secretly, hang up and call them back on a number you already know.

The call sounds real: a grandchild, son, or daughter crying, saying they're in trouble and need money right now. Sometimes a "lawyer" or "police officer" gets on the line. Scammers can copy a voice from a short video posted online, so it may even sound exactly like them. The goal is to rush you before you can think.

The warning signs

• Someone you love is suddenly in trouble: an accident, an arrest, stuck abroad.
• You're asked to keep it secret, "don't tell Mom."
• They want money fast, by gift cards, wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or cash picked up by a courier.
• The caller gets upset or pushy when you ask questions.

What to do in the moment

Stay calm and hang up. Then call your loved one directly on the number you already have, or call another family member. A real emergency will still be real in five minutes. Never pay with gift cards or send cash with a courier; real police and lawyers don't ask for that.

Set up a family code word

Pick a simple word or phrase that only your family knows, and agree that anyone calling in an emergency must say it. Keep it out of texts and social media. It takes two minutes and stops this scam cold.

How AI can help you (the good kind)

An AI chat can help you prepare. Ask it to write a short, friendly family message explaining the scam and the code word plan, or to make a simple "what to do" card for the fridge. If you got a strange text or email after a call, you can paste it in (with private numbers removed) and ask if it shows signs of a scam.

If you already sent money

Don't be embarrassed; these scams fool careful people. Call your bank or the gift card company right away, and report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Tell your family so they're on alert too.