The family safe word: a simple way to check who's really calling

It costs nothing, takes two minutes to set up, and gives you a quick way to check who's really calling.

The scam it guards against

Criminals can now copy a person's voice using AI from a short recording, such as a video posted online. They ring a relative, sounding exactly like a grandson or daughter in trouble, and ask for money urgently: an accident, an arrest, a lost phone abroad. In a 2024 survey by Starling Bank, 28% of UK adults said they had been targeted by an AI voice-cloning scam in the past year.

How the safe word works

Agree a word or short phrase that only your family knows. When anyone rings asking for money in a hurry, ask for the word. If they can't give it, hang up, and ring the person back on the number you already have for them.

Choosing a good one

• Random, like "blue teapot" or "Aunt Maud's bicycle"
• Not findable online, so not a pet's name, street or birthday that's on social media
• Easy to remember, so write it somewhere private, not on the fridge
• Agreed by phone or in person, never by text or email

Tell the whole family

It only works if everyone knows it: grandparents, parents and grandchildren. Agree it at the next family get-together, and practise once so it doesn't feel awkward when it matters.

Three more habits worth having

1. Hang up and ring back, on a number you already have, never one they give you.
2. Your bank will never ask you to move money to a "safe account". Hang up, then dial 159, which connects customers of more than 99% of the UK's retail bank current accounts with their bank.
3. Forward scam texts to 7726. It's free, and it helps the networks block the senders.

Read more about how AI voice scams work.

Talks for clubs and groups

I give a free 45-minute talk, "AI made simple, and how to spot the scams", to clubs and groups across Canterbury, Whitstable, Herne Bay, Faversham and Thanet. There is no sales pitch. To book one, ring 07500 511462, or read more about the free talk.