Phone calls, texts, and emails claiming an urgent family emergency or bank problem trick thousands of families every week. A clear, physical checklist stuck to your kitchen fridge can help. It gives you a moment to stop, check the facts, and avoid sending money to a scammer.
- The 3 Golden Rules: Never pay with gift cards. Never give one-time security codes over the phone. And never trust caller ID names.
- The Family Safe Word: Agree on a secret word with your children. If someone texts or calls claiming an emergency, they must say the word before you send any money.
- Printable Format: Bookmark or print this guide to keep handy next to your landline or on the refrigerator door.
- Leak Monitoring: Check whether your family’s phone numbers or email accounts were exposed in data leaks using Aura’s dark web scanner.
The Printable “Stop & Check” Fridge Checklist
If you get a suspicious phone call, text, or email, follow these steps before taking any action:
- STOP: Scammers create artificial panic, with claims like “Your account will be suspended in 15 minutes” or “Your grandson was arrested.” Real banks and police give you time to verify.
- HANG UP: If someone calls claiming to be from your bank or utility company, hang up. Don’t press any buttons.
- CALL THE REAL NUMBER: Pick up the phone and dial the customer service number yourself. You’ll find it printed on the back of your credit card, or on a paper bank statement.
- ASK FOR THE FAMILY SAFE WORD: Someone may call from an unfamiliar number claiming to be a child or grandchild in trouble. Ask for your secret family word. If they can’t give it, hang up. Then call their regular number yourself.
4 Things Real Banks Will Never Ask You to Do
- Ask you to read back a 6-digit text message code.
- Ask you to move your money to a “safe holding account.”
- Ask you to buy Apple, Amazon, or Google Play gift cards to pay a bill or fine.
- Demand remote control access to your computer using AnyDesk or TeamViewer to “fix a refund error.”
If you suspect your personal phone number or email has leaked online, an identity monitoring tool like Aura can help. It alerts you whenever your data surfaces on scam broker lists or dark web breach records. It’s a paid service, so think of it as an extra layer once the free habits above are already in place.
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