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Dan Woods has a unique family safety protocol to protect against criminals who prey on parents’ worst fears. He has established a code word with his daughters so that if they are ever in danger and need to call for help, Woods will know it is genuinely them and not an imposter. Woods, a digital security executive and former law enforcement officer, acknowledges that he may be slightly excessive in terms of safety precautions. However, he is aware that criminals will go to great lengths to deceive their victims, even falsely claiming to have kidnapped a loved one or using artificial intelligence (AI) to imitate their voice.
Is it necessary for everyone to establish anti-imposter code words with friends and family or is this an extreme response to a terrifying but uncommon danger? In this article, we will share expert advice to assist in your safety planning for potential hoaxes. The best advice, though difficult to follow, is to be suspicious and attempt to verify the situation if someone calls to inform you that your loved one is in trouble, even if the voice sounds like them.
Imposter scams are likely less common overall, but the available information is insufficient to provide a definitive answer. Last year, a broad category of imposter scams was the most prevalent type of fraud reported in the United States according to the Federal Trade Commission. Most scams involve impersonating a business or official agency, such as the Social Security Administration, a utility company, or tech support, in order to extort money or personal information. However, many scams go unreported, making it challenging to determine the true number of victims.
Less common but equally concerning are situations where individuals are deceived by imposters pretending to be a friend or family member in distress. This could involve criminals posing as police officers or doctors claiming to assist your loved one. The availability of cheap and user-friendly AI technology also makes it shockingly simple for criminals to feign the voice of a distressed grandchild or child, saying whatever the perpetrator wants. Despite the terror this evokes, most scams do not rely on complex technology. It can be as straightforward as receiving a text or call from someone posing as a “lawyer” who claims your brother has been arrested while on vacation and requires bail money. Fear is what makes these hoaxes dangerous, not the sophistication of the technology involved.
To establish a family code word for genuine emergency calls, Woods suggests using a specific question, phrase, or pattern known only to your loved ones, thus making it impossible for imposters to replicate. If you receive a call regarding a loved one in distress, you can ask the caller for the safety code or ask your loved one directly. For instance, Woods mentioned that when his daughter was five years old, she used to pretend she had a magic wand that could turn him into a puppy. Asking, “What did you do with the wand?” could be an example of a personal detail she knows but an imposter would not. Woods, an executive at digital security firm F5, incorporates these code phrases into wider conversations about safety within his family. The non-profit Identity Theft Resource Center highlights the importance of skepticism as the best defense against hoaxes. If someone claims your loved one is in danger and needs money, or if it appears to be your loved one reaching out for help, take a moment to reflect. Attempt to contact your loved one directly or through a trusted family member or friend instead. Eva Velasquez, President and CEO of the Identity Theft Resource Center, advises against sending money or purchasing gift cards in response to threatening phone calls.
It is worth noting that caller ID cannot always be trusted, as criminals can manipulate phone numbers to make it appear that a call is coming from a family member or local authorities. Following this advice is challenging, as the impulse is to react swiftly if you believe someone you care about is in danger. “The most important thing to remember is not to overreact,” Velasquez emphasizes. She suggests a simple phrase, “go to the source,” to help ensure that any received information is verified before taking action.
It is important to weigh the pros and cons of preparing for rare risks. Some emergency management agencies, for example, recommend code words or phrases in case of potential hoax calls or if a friend needs to pick up a child unexpectedly from school. This is a discussion worth having with your family, taking into account the fact that constant vigilance may not be sustainable for everyone. Woods shares that planning for the possibility of a faked distress call helps him feel more in control, while acknowledging that not all parents will adopt the same measures. He describes his impostor scam planning as a peace-of-mind approach, akin to having a fire extinguisher.
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