For Families

• Ask, don’t tell. “Have you gotten any weird calls lately?” opens the door better than a lecture.
• Never shame. Scams fool people of every age. If they’ve been targeted, thank them for telling you.
• Teach one thing at a time. Start with the Stop. Hang Up. Call Back. habit.
• Let them drive. Have them tap the buttons while you guide, so they learn and stay in control.
• Write it down. A short list of trusted numbers by the phone (bank, doctor, family) makes calling back easy.
• Respect their independence. Offer settings like call blocking or bank alerts as choices, not rules.

Pick a word or phrase that only your family knows, something not found on social media. If anyone calls claiming to be family in an emergency and asking for money, ask for the safe word. No word, no money.

1. Choose it together in person, not by text or email.
2. Make it unusual but memorable, like “purple pancakes.”
3. Tell everyone who might call, including grandkids.
4. Write it somewhere private at home, not in your phone’s notes.