How to verify a call from a family member before you send money
Caller ID can be faked, and voices can be cloned. So the only reliable check is one you control. Here is a routine based on FTC, FCC and FBI advice.
The 4-step check
- 1. Pause. A real emergency can survive a two-minute check.
- 2. Ask for the family code word, or a private question only they would know.
- 3. Hang up and call them back on the number saved in your contacts, not the number that called.
- 4. If you can’t reach them, call another relative or friend who can.
Why caller ID isn’t proof
The FCC warns that scammers can “spoof” caller ID so a call appears to come from a trusted number, such as a relative, a hospital or a police department. Treat the number on screen as unverified.
If someone else gets on the line
Scammers sometimes hand the phone to a fake lawyer, police officer or doctor to add pressure. Don’t pay them. Look up the real office’s number yourself and call it directly.
Frequently asked questions
What if they say I can’t hang up?
That pressure is itself a red flag. Hang up anyway and call your family member directly.
Sources
- 'Grandparent' Scams Get More Sophisticated — Federal Communications Commission
- Scammers Use Fake Emergencies To Steal Your Money — Federal Trade Commission
- Criminals Use Generative AI to Facilitate Financial Fraud (PSA I-120324-PSA, Dec 2024) — FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
- Scammers use AI to enhance their family emergency schemes (March 2023) — Federal Trade Commission
Free: Free Family Code-Word Card
AI character: Scam Hunter is an AI-created character and not a licensed financial advisor. Content is general education, not professional advice.