The call that sounds like family

Today's issue covers one thing: the family emergency call, and how to be ready before it ever happens.

It usually comes at night. A voice that sounds like your grandchild or your son. "It's me. I've been in an accident." Or "I'm in trouble and I need help." Then someone else takes the phone, a lawyer, an officer, and explains that money is needed right away. Wire it, or read out gift card numbers. And one more thing: "Please don't tell Mom and Dad. I'm so embarrassed."

Two things make this one dangerous. First, it aims at love, not greed, so smart and careful people fall for it. Second, the voice can now genuinely sound like your family member. A few seconds of audio from a video posted online is enough for software to imitate someone's voice. You can no longer trust your ears alone.

You can beat it with things you set up this week:

1. Hang up and call them directly. Not the number that called you. The number you already have for that person. Real emergencies survive a five-minute delay. If you can't reach them, call another family member. Which brings us to the second point.

2. Agree on a family code word. Pick a word or phrase only your family knows, nothing that appears on social media. Anyone claiming to be family in an emergency gets asked for it. No word, no money, no exceptions. Set this up at the next family dinner. It takes two minutes.

3. Remember the two permanent tells. Secrecy ("don't tell anyone") and untraceable payment (gift cards, wires to individuals, crypto machines). Family emergencies do not require gift cards. Nothing legitimate does.

Next Tuesday: the call that claims your bank account is in danger, and the "safe account" that isn't.