A practical plan to keep privately
A familiar voice deserves a real check.
Prepare a callback habit before an urgent request arrives. The lead advice is Scamwatch’s: call back on a number you already know. A private safe-word is our suggested additional precaution—not a guarantee or a claim that Scamwatch prescribes it.
- Pause. A familiar voice, personal detail or urgent story does not verify identity.
- Say: “I want to help. I will hang up and call you on the number I already have.” Do not use a new number supplied by the caller.
- Check independently with the person or another trusted contact before sending money or changing account access.
- If there appears to be immediate danger, contact emergency services through official channels. If money moved, contact your bank immediately through its official app or number.
Our private plan
Where we keep trusted contact numbers (fill offline):
Who else we can contact to verify an urgent request:
Where to find our bank’s official app or contact number:
Keep a completed plan privately. Share only the blank resource—not your numbers or safe-word. There is no online form for these details.
Sources & scope
Edition 2026-10-09.3. AI-assisted editorial revision; independent specialist and reader review pending. Educational material, not legal, medical or financial advice. Examples are hypothetical unless explicitly documented.
- Scamwatch: how scammers use technology and AI ↗
- Scamwatch: report a scam ↗
- IDCARE: identity and cyber support ↗