How to respond when a new number or account claims to be someone you know and asks for money, secrecy or urgent help.
Use the steps below to slow the situation down, separate the claim from the pressure around it and keep a clearer record of what you checked and what you decided to do next.
Do not let the story remove verification
A believable emergency can still be fabricated. The more urgent the story, the more useful an independent check becomes.
Use a contact route you already know
Call the person on their saved number or contact another family member instead of continuing only through the new account.
Agree a family verification habit
Families can use a simple private question, a call-back rule or another shared habit that is hard for an unknown person to imitate.
Be especially cautious with payment requests
Gift cards, bank transfers and other irreversible payment methods should trigger a stronger verification step.
Practical checklist
Quick checklist
- Do not let the story remove verification
- Use a contact route you already know
- Agree a family verification habit
- Be especially cautious with payment requests