Why Your Family Needs a Password—Now

Have you chosen a family password yet?

If not, this summer is the perfect time to sit down together and pick one.

You may think that an AI voice impersonation scam won’t happen to you—but in today’s world, claiming a family password is a simple and powerful way to protect the people you love.

The New Threat We’re Facing

AI voice-cloning scams are on the rise—and they’re terrifyingly convincing. Ask any mom, dad, grandma or grandpa that has experienced this.

Imagine this: You get a call late at night. It sounds exactly like your child. They say they’ve been kidnapped, hurt, or arrested—and they need money right now. A fake police officer or kidnapper might even jump on the line to add pressure. It may even appear that the incoming call is from their personal number.

It’s a scam. But in the moment, it feels real. And that’s exactly what the scammers are counting on- you to panic, instead of being prepared.

A Simple Way to Stay One Step Ahead

That’s where a family password comes in.

It’s a word or phrase only your family knows—something you can use to verify that a message or call is truly coming from your loved one. It gives everyone a moment to pause, think, and respond with clarity instead of panic.

Having a family password is a simple solution to a very modern, high-tech problem.

How to Set It Up

1. Choose a password together.
Make sure everyone in the family agrees on it and can remember it. It should be easy to recall in a panic, hard to forget, and not something public or obvious. Depending on your kids’ ages and abilities, you may even want to write it down and store it in a safe place.

2. Keep it private.
This password is for your family only. It’s not to be shared with friends or used casually. It’s a tool for emergencies—nothing else.

3. Practice using it.
If you ever get a call with an urgent request for money or gift cards, calmly ask for the password. You can also ask follow-up questions like, “What’s our dog’s name?” or “When was the last time we saw each other?”

Scammers are counting on panic. But when we stay calm and use our critical thinking skills, we take back control. If you do get a suspicious call, write down the number—even if it appears to be from your loved one’s phone or an unknown number. This is the reality we’re living in, and it’s up to us to be prepared—not panicked.

We hope we never have to use our chosen password. But we want to be ready just in case.

Make It a Family Conversation

Choosing a password is also a great opportunity to talk with your kids about critical thinking, digital safety, and how to handle unexpected situations. These are the kinds of conversations that build trust and confidence—and help our kids grow into thoughtful, prepared young adults.

Inside my Create a Summer of Significance guide, you’ll find a Summer Screentime Strategy sheet—with a space right at the top to write in your family password. It’s a small step that can make a big difference!

Have you picked your family password yet?
Have you experienced an AI impersonation scam or has someone you know?