What should I do if a family member calls with an emergency?

A caller may claim to be a child, grandchild, friend, lawyer, doctor, or police officer. The story may involve an accident, arrest, hospital, or travel emergency. Fear and secrecy are used to make you send money before checking.

Do not trust the voice alone

The FTC warns that scammers can use voice cloning to sound like a loved one. Even without technology, a caller may have personal details from social media or simply guess.

Tell the caller you will call back. Then contact the family member through a number you already know. If you cannot reach them, call another relative or trusted friend.

Ask and check

Ask a question an impostor is unlikely to answer, but do not rely only on that question. A separate call is stronger verification.

Be careful if the caller demands secrecy, gift cards, cryptocurrency, a wire transfer, cash pickup, or an immediate payment through an app.

Create a family plan before a crisis

Choose a family verification phrase that is not posted online. Agree that an unexpected money request will always be checked with a second person.

If money was already sent, contact the payment provider immediately through its official route and report the incident to the FTC.

The main idea

You do not need to investigate the sender yourself. Pause, verify the claim through a contact route you find independently, and use official help if money or information may be at risk.