Dan Woods has a family safety protocol in place to protect against criminals who prey on every parent's worst nightmare. In this case, technology is not seen as a friend, but rather, we are. You can sign up for The Tech Friend newsletter to stay informed. Woods has even rehearsed a code word with his daughters as an extra layer of protection. This way, if they ever find themselves in danger and need to call their dad for help, Woods can verify their distress and ensure it's not an impostor pretending to be his child. Being a digital security executive and former law enforcement and intelligence officer, Woods understands the importance of going above and beyond when it comes to safety. Criminals will go to extreme lengths, such as falsely claiming to have kidnapped a loved one or even using artificial intelligence to imitate their voice, all in an attempt to convince you to send them money. So, is it advisable for all of us to establish anti-impostor code words within our circle of friends and family?Or is that level of caution excessive for a rare but terrifying danger, like wearing a helmet at all times in case debris falls on you?I will provide expert tips to help you develop your own safety plan to navigate potential hoaxes. The best advice, although difficult to follow, is to maintain a healthy dose of skepticism when someone calls to inform you that your loved one is in trouble, even if they sound exactly like your loved one. Attempt to verify the situation, and be cautious. Nevertheless, planning for such scenarios ahead of time can be incredibly helpful, particularly when it comes to children who may not have the same level of discernment. How common are hoaxes involving someone impersonating a loved one in distress?It is challenging to ascertain due to the lack of complete information available. However, according to the Federal Trade Commission, impostor scams, which encompass a wide range of fraudulent activities, were the most frequently reported type of fraud in the United States last year. These scams often involve individuals posing as businesses or official agencies like the Social Security Administration, utility companies, or tech support, demanding money or personal information. Many victims do not report these scams, so the true extent of the problem remains unclear. (Report scams to the FTC here. ) Scams involving impersonation of friends or family members in distress are less common but still occur. Criminals may even go as far as disguising themselves as police officers or doctors, claiming to assist your loved one. Moreover, with the accessibility and simplicity of cheap AI technology, criminals can easily manipulate voices to replicate a grandchild or child in trouble, coercing victims into complying with their demands.

While these tactics are terrifying, it's essential to note that most scams are not technologically sophisticated. Often, they may be as simple as a text message or phone call from a phony "lawyer" informing you that your brother has been arrested while on vacation, requiring bail money. Fear is what gives these hoaxes power, not the complexity of the technology employed. Setting up a family code word for genuine emergency calls is an effective solution. Woods suggests using a specific question, phrase, or pattern known only to your loved ones but unknown to potential fraudsters. This way, if you receive a distressing call or message about a loved one, you can ask the person claiming to be in trouble for the safety code. For example, Woods recounts a time when his five-year-old daughter would pretend to use a magic wand to turn him into a puppy. A question like "What did you do with the wand?" could serve as a personal detail only she would know, making it nearly impossible for an impostor to guess or discover through online searches. Woods, an executive at the digital security firm F5, emphasizes the importance of practicing these code phrases within broader conversations about safety in his own family. The Identity Theft Resource Center, a nonprofit organization, supports the idea that skepticism is vital to protect oneself against hoaxes. If someone claims your loved one is in danger and requires financial assistance, or if your loved one supposedly reaches out to you for help, take a moment to pause. Attempt to directly contact your loved one, or reach out to a family member or friend who can help corroborate the information. Never send money or purchase gift cards in response to threatening phone calls, advises Eva Velasquez, president and CEO of the Identity Theft Resource Center. These guidelines also prove useful in situations where your loved one may be unable to recall the safety word during an actual emergency. Additionally, it's crucial to be aware that caller ID can easily be manipulated by criminals, who can make it appear as if a call is coming from your sister or local authorities. While this advice is not without its challenges, when you believe someone you care about is in danger, the instinct is to act swiftly. However, Velasquez emphasizes the importance of not overreacting and recommends always verifying incoming information before taking any action, reminding you to "go to the source. " Some emergency management agencies also suggest using code words or phrases to safeguard against potential hoax calls or unexpected circumstances where a friend needs to pick up a child from school. This is something worth discussing with your family, weighing the need for such precautions against the finite capacity we all have for vigilance. Woods acknowledges that not all parents will take every safety measure he does, yet he finds comfort in discussing the potential for fraudulent distress calls as a means of feeling more in control. He considers his preparation against impostor scams as a peace-of-mind measure, similar to having a fire extinguisher on hand.