What’s the Password?
Over the summer, my aunt received a phone call from an unknown number. The person on the other end claimed he had her daughter. He said her daughter was okay, but that she had “seen something she shouldn’t have,” and demanded that my aunt transfer money to secure her safe release. The man wouldn’t let my aunt speak directly to my cousin, but she could hear a woman crying in the background.
Understandably, my aunt was scared and distraught. The man said he would give her a minute, then call back with instructions to transfer the money.
In that short window, my aunt tried to reach my cousin—no luck. When the man called back, the crying continued in the background, and he began giving instructions. That’s when my uncle said something crucial: “Ask for the family password.” My aunt did just that. Click. The caller was gone. The crisis was over. Eventually, they reached my cousin, who had been safe at work the entire time.
Scams like this are on the rise. They rely on fear and confusion to override rational thinking, making it easier for bad actors to exploit their targets. A simple precaution—like having a family password—can stop a scammer in their tracks.
Tips to Protect Yourself:
- Verify before reacting: If a caller pressures you for money or personal information, pause. Take time to check the situation.
- Use a family password: Have a secret word or phrase that only trusted family members know. Scammers cannot bypass this.
- Stay calm: Scammers feed on panic. Take a deep breath and think before responding.
- Report suspicious calls: Contact local authorities or the FTC to report scams and help protect others.
A little preparation can turn fear into confidence—and stop scammers before they succeed.