Cybersecurity Tip of the Week – Create a Family Scam Plan

Families often prepare for emergencies like fires, severe weather, or medical situations, but few have a plan for scams. Yet every day, criminals target people of all ages through phone calls, text messages, emails, social media, and even AI-generated voices. Take a few minutes to talk with your family about what to do if someone receives a suspicious message or an urgent request for money. Agree that no one should send money, purchase gift cards, share passwords, or provide personal information without first checking with another trusted family member. Create a family "safe word" or code phrase to use to verify a person's identity during an emergency or unusual request. Having a plan before something happens can help prevent panic, reduce the likelihood of falling for a scam, and protect everyone in your household.

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