Prompt For home
Our family code word plan
Set up a family code word against voice-clone calls, with a teaching script for each group and a one-page printout.
Try it: Our family code word plan
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FILL THIS IN (then copy everything into your AI chat)
Who I'll teach it to (the people who need the plan, like grandparents, kids or both): grandparents, kids
(Don't write your code word anywhere in this prompt.)
--- Don't change anything below this line ---
You are a calm family safety coach. Help me set up a family code word plan against fake emergency calls that use a copied voice, one the people in "Who I'll teach it to" will actually remember and use. Do NOT ask me for our actual code word. Don't suggest example code words or example backup questions; I'll pick my own.
Give me:
1) 5 rules for picking a good code word (easy to remember, hard to guess, not a pet's name or anything on social media).
2) A short script for teaching it in person, written separately for each group in "Who I'll teach it to", in words that fit that group. Under 100 words each.
3) If someone forgets the word under stress: how to pick one backup question only real family could answer (don't suggest one), and the rule that it's still fine to hang up and call back.
4) What to do if a call feels off, as 4 short steps: don't send money, gift cards or codes; hang up; call back on a number already saved in my phone; tell the family.
5) A 2-minute practice drill we can run in a few months so nobody forgets, and how to change the word if it ever gets shared.
6) A one-page plan I can print, with blanks for the people to call back and their saved numbers. Keep the code word and the backup answer off the printed page; they're memorized, never written down.
Keep it calm and simple. No scam statistics. Stop after part 6; don't offer extra files or follow-ups.
Example result
We filled in: Who I'll teach it to: grandparents, kids.
Family Emergency Code Word Safety Plan
A family code word helps protect everyone if a scammer calls pretending to be a grandparent, child, or another family member using a copied voice.
The goal is simple: pause, verify, and call back before doing anything.
1. Five rules for choosing a good code word
- Make it easy to remember. Choose something everyone can say and remember, even when scared or upset.
- Make it hard to guess. Avoid common words, birthdays, addresses, and obvious family references.
- Keep it private. Don't post it on Facebook, Instagram, or other social media.
- Don't use a pet's name. Scammers might find pet names through online photos and posts.
- Choose something unusual. Avoid words that could easily come up in normal conversations.
Everyone who needs to know should memorize it. Never send it in a text message or write it somewhere others can find it.
2. Teaching scripts
For grandparents
"Sometimes people can make a phone call sound like someone we love. Even if you recognize a voice, it doesn't always mean it's really them. Our family has a special secret word. If someone calls saying there's an emergency, ask them for the word. Never rush to send money or share information. If something feels strange, hang up and call us using the number already saved in your phone. It's always okay to double-check."
For kids
"Sometimes bad people pretend to be someone in our family on the phone. They might even sound like someone you know. That's why our family has a secret word. If someone calls and says there's an emergency, ask for our secret word. Never send money, share passwords, or follow scary instructions. If you're unsure, hang up and call a trusted grown-up. You will never get in trouble for checking first."
3. If someone forgets the word
Have one backup question that only genuine family members could reasonably answer.
Choose a question that:
- Has an answer known to the real family.
- Isn't answered by social media or public information.
- Isn't easily guessed by someone who knows basic family details.
- Has one clear answer.
- Everyone can remember how to ask.
Important: Don't create several backup questions. Choose just one and keep its answer memorized.
If someone cannot remember the code word or answer, that's okay.
It's always fine to hang up and call the family member back using a number already saved in your phone.
4. What to do if a call feels off
- Don't send anything. Never send money, gift cards, passwords, or verification codes because of an urgent phone call.
- Hang up. Don't let someone pressure you into staying on the phone.
- Call back. Use a phone number already saved in your contacts, not a number the caller gives you.
- Tell the family. Let everyone know about the suspicious call so others can be careful too.
5. Two-minute family practice drill
Repeat this practice in a few months to keep everyone comfortable with the plan.
Minute 1: Practice the call
- One person pretends to make an emergency call.
- The other person practices asking for the family code word.
- Practice staying calm and not rushing.
- Try a second round where the caller doesn't know the word.
Minute 2: Practice the response
- Pretend the caller is pressuring someone to send money.
- Practice hanging up.
- Practice calling back using a saved contact.
- Practice telling another family member what happened.
Remind everyone that they are never in trouble for hanging up and checking.
If the code word is ever shared:
- Stop using the old word immediately.
- Tell everyone in the family that it needs changing.
- Choose a completely new private word.
- Teach the new word in person or through a trusted, private conversation.
- Make sure everyone memorizes the replacement.
Never announce the new word publicly or put it in a group text.
6. Printable one-page family plan
OUR FAMILY SAFETY PLAN
Stop. Check. Call back.
OUR FAMILY RULES
- We never rush because someone says there is an emergency.
- We verify unexpected emergency calls.
- We never send money, gift cards, or verification codes because of a phone call.
- We can always hang up and check with another family member.
- Nobody gets in trouble for being careful.
PEOPLE TO CALL BACK
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
- Saved phone number
- \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
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- Saved phone number
- \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
- Saved phone number
- \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
- Saved phone number
- \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
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- Saved phone number
- \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
IF A CALL FEELS STRANGE
- Don't send money, gift cards, or codes.
- Hang up.
- Call back using a saved phone number.
- Tell the family.
OUR FAMILY AGREEMENT
We will protect each other by checking first, staying calm, and never letting someone pressure us into making a quick decision.
Practice date: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
Next practice date: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
Family members who have learned the plan:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
KEEP THE CODE WORD AND BACKUP ANSWER MEMORIZED. NEVER WRITE THEM ON THIS PAGE.
