1. 30-SECOND EXPLANATION (for Mum) Scammers can now copy anyone's voice, even one of the kids, from a short video online. They ring, sound upset, and ask for money fast. If anyone calls asking for money, even if it sounds exactly like us, say "I'll ring you back," hang up, and call the number you already have saved. A real family member will never mind. 2. FAMILY SAFE-WORD SYSTEM Pick one odd word nobody could guess from social media, like a childhood toy or a made-up word (not a pet's name or birthday). Share it face to face only. Never text it, email it or post it. Ask for it whenever someone calls asking for money, help or secrecy. If the caller can't say it, or says "there's no time," end the call and ring that person directly. Change the word once a year, or straight away if you think it leaked. 3. HANG-UP-AND-CALL-BACK SCRIPT "I want to help, so I'm going to hang up and ring you straight back on your usual number. If it's really you, you'll pick up in a minute." Then hang up, wait 10 seconds, and dial the saved number yourself. Never press redial or call a number the caller gives you. 4. RED FLAGS | Red flag | What the caller says | What we do | | Child in trouble | "Mum, I've crashed the car, please don't tell Dad" | Ask for the safe word, hang up, ring the child | | Urgent money | "I need €500 in the next hour" | Nothing is paid on one call, ever | | Secrecy | "Don't tell anyone, I'm embarrassed" | Tell another family member at once | | Strange payment | "Send it by gift card or this app" | Refuse; that is a scam sign | | New number | "My phone broke, this is my friend's" | Ring the old number and the other parent | | Pressure on Granny | "Mum's not answering, Nana, you have to help" | Nana rings us before doing anything | 5. IF MONEY ALREADY LEFT In the first hour: ring your bank's 24-hour fraud line, using the number on the back of your card or the bank's official website, and ask them to stop or recall the payment. Note the time, amount and how you paid. Write down everything the caller said. Report it to An Garda Síochána at your local station. Tell the family so nobody else gets caught by the same caller. Watch for follow-up calls pretending to be the bank or Gardaí offering to "recover" your money; that is a second scam. 6. LOCK IT DOWN - Set the teens' social media accounts to private. - Remove videos where you speak clearly to camera. - Don't post travel plans while you're away. - Let unknown numbers go to voicemail. - Save every family number under a clear name. SELF-CHECK - Whether Ireland has a single national fraud-reporting service beyond your bank and local Garda station (VERIFY). - Banks' ability to recall a transfer depends on payment type and speed (VERIFY with your bank).