AI Scam Glossary

Family codeword

safe word · family password

A family codeword is a private word or set of words agreed in advance to verify a loved one during a suspicious call or message.

What it means

The codeword moves identity proof away from a voice, face, or writing style that AI can imitate and toward private knowledge an impersonator does not have. A rotating set of three words is harder to guess and becomes useless after it changes.

How to protect yourself

  • Choose words that are not visible on social media.
  • Practice asking “What are the words?” before a crisis.
  • Never give hints or confirm a scammer’s guess.

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Family codeword — Trust Onion, September 17, 2026. https://trustonion.io/glossary/family-codeword