Introduction: Why Families Need a Simple Plan
AI voice cloning and deepfake scams don’t just target tech‑savvy adults; they aim at whoever panics fastest or controls the money. Grandparents, teens, and busy parents are all attractive targets because a convincing voice or video can short‑circuit their judgment in seconds.
This guide gives you plain‑English steps, examples, and scripts you can share with your family so everyone knows exactly what to do when a “weird” call or message arrives. The goal is not to create fear—it’s to give your household a clear, calm procedure. For a full breakdown of how these scams work, read our main guide on AI voice cloning and deepfake scams in 2026.
(Link anchor idea: “main guide on AI voice cloning and deepfake scams in 2026” → link to your pillar article.)
Step 1: Explain the Scam in One Minute (No Tech Jargon)
You do not need to explain how the AI model works. All your family needs is this:
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“Scammers can now use computers to copy someone’s voice or face.”
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“They pretend to be a person we know to rush us into sending money or sharing codes.”
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“Because of that, we never trust a voice or video on its own. We follow our family rules instead.”
Keep it short. The simpler it sounds, the more likely people are to remember it when they are stressed.
Step 2: Create a Family “Safe Word”
A family safe word is a secret word or phrase that only your household knows. You use it when someone asks for urgent help or money over a call or message. Security experts increasingly recommend safe words because AI voice cloning makes it hard to rely on sound alone.
How to set it up:
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Choose a word that’s easy to remember but not obvious (not pet names or birthdays).
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Share it only in person or over an already trusted channel.
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Make a clear rule: if someone can’t say the safe word, you hang up and verify via a known number.
This turns every “emergency” request into a quick yes/no test your family can use under pressure.
Step 3: Teach the 30‑Second Family Protocol
Give everyone this simple rule:
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If a call or message asks for money, codes, or private information, pause.
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Hang up or stop replying—do not argue or explain.
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Call back using the saved contact (not the number that just called you).
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Ask for the safe word if it’s urgent.
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If still unsure, wait and ask another family member before doing anything.
Make this the default response, even if the voice sounds exactly right.
(Anchor idea: later در متن اصلی به “30‑second verification protocol” لینک بده که در مقالهی ستون توضیح دادی.)
Step 4: Use Easy‑to‑Remember Examples
Concrete examples stick better than theory, especially for kids and older relatives. Many real cases follow the same patterns.
Example 1 – “Crying child” scam
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Scammer: sounds like your child, says, “I’m in trouble, I need money now, don’t tell anyone.”
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Family rule: hang up, call your child’s saved number, and check the safe word.
Example 2 – “Bank security” call
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Scammer: “We’re from your bank, read the code we just sent you so we can block a hacker.”
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Family rule: never read codes to anyone—open your banking app or call the number on your card instead.
Example 3 – “Friend in trouble” voice note
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Scammer: sends a voice message on WhatsApp or Telegram and asks for a quick transfer.
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Family rule: do not pay from the chat; always call back using a known number and verify on a second channel.
Step 5: Set Household Rules Around Money and Codes
Write these down and keep them visible (fridge, family chat, or a printed sheet):
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We never share one‑time codes (OTP) with anyone—even if they sound like our bank or a family member.
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We never send money or change payment details based on one call or message.
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We always verify through a trusted number or a second channel before sending anything.
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If we feel rushed, we wait at least 10 minutes and talk to another family member.
The point is not to remember every scam type; it’s to follow the same safe routine every time.
Step 6: A Short Script for Kids and Teens
You can literally read this to a child or teen:
“If anyone—on the phone, in games, or on social media—asks you for money, codes, or ‘a big secret favour’, you don’t answer them. You come and tell me. If they say ‘don’t tell your parents’, that’s a scam, every time.”
Remind them that they will never get in trouble for telling you about something suspicious, even if they already replied.
Step 7: A Short Script for Older Relatives
Older relatives are often targeted because scammers expect them to be polite and less familiar with tech.
Here is a friendly, respectful script you can share:
“If someone calls you and says they’re me, the bank, the police, or the hospital and they want money or codes, just say:
‘I don’t do payments or codes on the phone. I will call back on the number I know.’
Then hang up, call me or the bank using the number you already have.”
Offer to stick this script next to their phone so they can read it word‑for‑word when they’re nervous.
Step 8: Repeat the Training (Lightly) Every Few Months
People forget procedures if they never rehearse them. Keep it light:
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Mention a new scam story at dinner and ask: “What would we do if this happened to us?”
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Run a quick “what if” scenario in your family chat every few months.
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Update the safe word if it ever feels exposed.
Repetition builds instinct, and instinct is what protects people when a call feels urgent and emotional.
Step 9: Turn Your Family Rules into a One‑Page “Safety Sheet”
To make your training stick, turn it into a simple one‑page safety sheet that everyone can understand at a glance.
Include four parts:
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Top line: “If a call or message asks for money or codes, we always: hang up → call back → use the safe word → verify with someone else.”
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Red flags list: urgency, secrecy, gift cards, new bank details, requests for OTP or passwords.
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Family safe word: write it down, but keep the sheet somewhere private at home (not online).
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Important numbers: your bank, close family, and any emergency contacts, copied directly from official cards/apps.
You can print this and stick it somewhere visible, or share a screenshot of it in your private family group.
Step 10: Practise with “What Would You Do?” Scenarios
Short practice conversations help family members react correctly when stress hits.
Once in a while, ask:
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“You get a call that sounds like me and they want a code—what’s the first thing you do?”
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“You hear a crying voice note saying they’re stuck and need money now—how do you check it’s real?”
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“A number that looks like our bank calls about ‘fraud’—what’s our rule?”
If someone answers “I’d call you back on the saved number” or “I’d ask for the safe word,” you know the training is working.
Step 11: Combine With Device Safety (High‑Level Only)
You don’t need to overload your family with technical details, but you can share a few simple device habits:
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Keep phones and apps updated so security fixes are installed.
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Use a PIN, fingerprint, or face unlock; don’t leave phones unlocked around strangers.
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Turn on two‑factor authentication (2FA) for email and banking.
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Don’t install random apps or click links from unknown senders.
If you want a deeper look at device‑level privacy, you can point readers to your on‑device AI privacy guide and iPhone checklist articles.
(Anchor ideas:
“on‑device AI privacy guide” → link to your 2026 on‑device AI & privacy pillar.
“iPhone privacy checklist” → link to your iPhone on‑device AI checklist article.)
Step 12: Make It Easy to Ask for Help
Finally, tell your family explicitly:
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“If something feels off, it’s okay to say no and ask me.”
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“You won’t get in trouble for hanging up on a scammer—even if they sounded real.”
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“You can always send me a screenshot or forward a message before you act.”
Scams work best when people feel isolated or embarrassed; a clear “always ask” rule turns your family into a small support network instead of separate targets.
Step 13: A Short “Family Agreement” You Can Copy
You can turn everything into a simple agreement everyone signs or at least says “yes” to:
“In our family, we agree:
– We never send money or read out codes just because a voice or video tells us to.
– If something feels urgent and stressful, we will hang up and call back on a saved number.
– We will use our family safe word for emergencies.
– We will talk to each other before making big or strange payments.”
Writing this down makes the rules feel real and shared, not just “advice someone once said.”
Closing
AI voice cloning and deepfake scams are powerful, but your family does not need to become security experts to stay safe. A shared safe word, a 30‑second callback habit, and a few clear “never” rules around money and codes will stop most attacks before they do damage. If you keep the conversation open and practise once in a while, your household can stay calm and confident—even when a fake voice tries to push your panic button.
Suggested “Related Reading” Block (End of the Article)
You can add a short related‑reading section at the end to connect this family guide with your main pillar and privacy content:
Related reading on BrainlyTech
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AI Voice Cloning & Deepfake Scams in 2026: How to Spot and Stop Them
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On‑Device AI & Privacy: The 2026 Guide
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iPhone On‑Device AI Privacy Checklist (2026)
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The AI Governance Checklist (2026): Simple Rules for Safer Tools
Related reading on BrainlyTech
For a deeper look at how these scams work and more real‑world scenarios, read our main guide:
AI Voice Cloning & Deepfake Scams in 2026: How to Spot and Stop Them
https://brainlytech.com/ai-voice-cloning-deepfake-scams-2026/
If you want to lock down how your devices handle data in the first place, start here:
On‑Device AI & Privacy: The 2026 Guide
https://brainlytech.com/2026/02/06/on-device-ai-privacy-the-2026-guide/
For iPhone users who want clear, step‑by‑step privacy settings that support these family rules, see:
iPhone On‑Device AI Privacy Checklist (2026)
https://brainlytech.com/iphone-on-device-ai-privacy-checklist-2026/
And if you’re choosing new AI tools or apps and want a simple way to judge the risk, use:
The AI Governance Checklist (2026): Simple Rules for Safer Tools
https://brainlytech.com/2026/02/09/ai-governance-checklist-2026/
Optional CTA Paragraph (Very Short)
If you found this guide useful, share it with your family or close friends and walk through the steps together. A two‑minute conversation now is worth far more than trying to fix things after a scam succeeds.