How to Prepare Your Family for Scams, Emergencies, and the Unexpected
As much as I’d love to keep my head firmly in the sand, the older I get, the more I realize that being prepared isn’t optional. Scams are getting sharper, emergencies happen without warning, and loved ones I care about have been victims of fraud. That changes how you look at things. I get scam texts and emails all the time, and while they’re sometimes obvious, others are clever enough to make you pause. It’s not pleasant to think about, but it feels even worse not to.
I’m not approaching this from a place of fear. I simply want my family to have a plan so they’re not scrambling if something happens. It’s the same reason I carry insurance or make sure the car has gas before a long drive. These little safeguards give me peace of mind, and they may one day protect the people I love.
Here are a few of the measures I’ve put in place, and some I am still working on. You may already do many of these, but if not, consider this a gentle nudge.
Online Safety Habits
Scammers thrive on panic. If an email or text feels urgent or threatening, I remind myself to pause. No legitimate company will punish you for hanging up and calling back.
Text Scam
Here’s an example of a scam text I receive regularly. You can see that it went out to a large group of people’s phone numbers. If you click this link, you are opening your phone to the scammers who can steal your information. Don’t even be tempted to text back…just delete and label junk. And no, Amazon will never text you about a recall, but I’ve gotten several texts that claim just that.
Email Scam
Here’s a common type of email scam I get regularly. No, I did not order anything from this company, so I was immediately suspicious. When you check the sending email, you see a nonsensical email that is not associated with Intuit.
Here is another McAfee scam email…notice the email sender. The email said the email came from me to me. When I clicked on the sender’s email, I saw this [email protected]. A clear scam.
An Apple Email Scam
Another email scam claims that my iCloud storage is full and that I will lose my photos and videos. When you click the “Payment Declined” sender at the top of the email, it shows the sender’s email, which is not iCloud. Delete and label spam.
Some simple rules I live by:
- Never click on links in suspicious emails or texts.
- Use two-factor authentication when I can.
- Don’t recycle the same password for everything.
- These sound obvious, but in the moment, it’s easy to forget.
A Family Code Word
This is one of the simplest but smartest things you can do. Pick a word or phrase only your family knows and use it if something feels off.
Imagine you get a phone call from someone claiming to be your grandchild, panicked and needing money right away. AI can now copy people’s voices perfectly, so you can’t tell it’s not your loved one. Scammers prey on that instant emotional reaction. Instead of rushing, you can ask for the code word. If they can’t give it, you hang up.
I also like the idea of using it in everyday situations. If I’m out somewhere and something feels uncomfortable, I could text the word to my husband or my daughter. They would know it means I need help without me having to explain anything.
It takes all of five minutes to set up, but it could save a lot of heartache.
Keep Important Papers Accessible
I’ve learned through the years how impossible it is to make quick decisions without access to documents. Insurance information, medical cards, and powers of attorney. It all matters when time is short.
Now I keep a folder in a safe place with copies of things my family might need: IDs, prescriptions, medical information, and even bank contacts. A fireproof safe or fireproof folders are ideal, but I also tell my husband exactly where it is. There is no sense in organizing if no one else knows how to find it.
Share Health Information
I have a list of my medications and allergies with me in my purse, and my daughter has a copy as well. Phones now let you set up an emergency medical ID that first responders can access even if your phone is locked. It takes a few minutes to fill out, and it could make a difference if you are unable to speak for yourself.
Click here for directions on how to set up the emergency medical ID on an Iphone if you have one.
If you take several prescriptions or see multiple doctors, give someone you trust a list. When stress is high, small details are easily forgotten.
Talk About Financial Safety
Financial scams target older adults, like us, constantly. Teaching your loved ones to slow down and double-check before sending money is critical.
My husband and I agreed that we will never move money, send gift cards, or share account details based on a call, text, or email. If we are ever unsure, we call the company back on a number we know is real.
Passwords and Technology
Everything requires a password, and I don’t want my loved ones locked out if something happens to me. At a minimum, your spouse or adult child should know how to get into your phone, email, and bank accounts if necessary.
I keep a written list in a safe place along with instructions for my phone and email. Password managers are great if you are comfortable with them, but even an old-fashioned list is better than leaving people in the dark.
If you’re looking for a book to keep all of your passwords in one place, you may want to try this one for under $20!
An Emergency Call List
When something happens, time is everything. Create a simple contact tree that lists who should be called first, second, and third. For example, if you are unwell and cannot call for help yourself, your spouse may call one child, who then calls siblings and extended family.
This keeps communication clear and avoids confusion. You don’t want important information to get lost or for family members to hear different versions of the same story.
Have a Plan for Natural Disasters
Depending on where you live, this could mean hurricanes, wildfires, tornadoes, or earthquakes. Talk with your family about what to do if you need to evacuate or shelter in place.
Keep an emergency bag with basics like water, nonperishable food, medications, flashlights, and a phone charger. Know where you will go if you cannot stay in your home. Even if you never need it, having a plan will help everyone feel more secure.
A Few Final Thoughts
Preparing for scams, emergencies, and the unexpected isn’t exactly cocktail-party conversation, but ignoring it doesn’t make it go away. I’d much rather spend my time thinking about shoes or lipstick shades, but the truth is, having a plan keeps me calmer.
These little safeguards don’t take long, and they could spare my family from a whole lot of chaos one day. I’d rather roll my eyes at yet another scam text than scramble in a crisis. What about you…are you already set up, or is this one of those “I’ll get around to it” things on your list?
Thank you so much for this important message! I have seen these before on my computer and phone. Wish they would just go away! Have a safe day!
Jennifer,
Much gratitude is being sent for your efforts to try and prepare your followers for hazards and concerns that unfortunately many of us have been and will be subjected to in our lives. Thank you, thank you, and thank you!
Carolyn
I liked that you gave us examples of scams. I don’t get many on my cell phone but we still have a land line and we plenty of spam on it. My husband is still working as a CPA and he gets texts and emails daily with all this junk. He’s taught me a lot about safety. We do need a family plan though. Thanks for laying all that out. So important!
Thank you for this very informative and helpful email. Now I have a plan of action to follow!
So helpful! Thank you.
You look so pretty in that red! Would you please share the lip color you’re wearing? It’s perfect with your sweater. Thanks!
It’s a combination of lip stain and pencil topped with this lipstick in Wild Rose…which looks red on me.
This is a fantastic list. I have already done most of the things you recommend for online safety, but hadn’t considered the idea of a family code word or contact tree. I am heading out for a long awaited overseas trip and I am going to put these into practice before I leave.
Good idea! Have a fun trip
Good info Jennifer! I would caution against clicking on anything that seems suspicious such as you clicked on the sender’s email address. My husband was a network engineer for a major hospital and he drummed that into me decades ago. Just delete!
I did not click as in “open”, I touch the senders name which reveals their email address. Nothing opens or links.
Thanks for this helpful info. AI, copying voices, is pretty scary. I’ve had dozens of the icloud emails and now I’m getting scam emails from “AAA”. The one supposedly from Amazon is really scary for those of use who order from them. We need to be super cautious every day!
Thank you great advice! Plus I love your red sweater.
Thank you for this Jennifer. We do many of the same things in our home that you describe here, but I always learn something of value in your posts. I subscribe to several other blogs but don’t read yours first. I save it for last, like dessert after dinner. 🙂
I’ve received what I believe are scam emails from Talbots announcing a warehouse sale with ridiculously low prices. I cross checked the authentic Talbots site and didn’t see anything. It made me super cautious about exceptional promotions – and scams.
Thank you Jennifer!
A lot of what you said hits home. My husband and I are the same age group as you and retired. The last couple of years seems like every couple of months we get calls from Lifelock. Also calls from financial institutions, luckily Lifelock works and we always check with the place that we supposably got calls from. It’s annoying because we figure it’s just scams but the one you don’t check on is the one. Did I also mention it happens when we’re on a trip. Everything you said is so TRUE, in this day and age you can’t be to careful with your personal bussiness. Like you said before we have to watch out for our health because it’s our job, same for our finances.
That was an excellent, thorough review of best practices.
We keep our Passwords in an Excel spreadsheet….easy to update and then I print out a copy and tuck into a drawer in our little safe.
We also have what my dad called “The Black Book”. It’s got everything in there that family would need in the event that the two of us die at the same time. Insurance policies, wills & trust documents, credit cards, bank accounts, burial plans, military records (for burial at National cemetery, etc). The two oldest of our combined children each have a copy, and know what to do in the event of……
Makes for peace of mind…theirs and ours.
Great idea! Thanks for sharing Laurie
Thank you for reminders in this post! I recently heard of a friend’s friend who seemed in good health found dead in her garden by her husband, and he is in shock and lost now like a deer in headlights. He depended on her for so much and now the questions flow.
I am starting as well to put these all in order so my husband and children will have access anything they need about me and my wishes. Not always a comfortable talk but a needed one for sure. Blessings to you always, I love your style!
Mary P. Lebanon, NH
This is such an important post. So very relevant. I especially like the idea of setting up a safe word either family members especially for group texts etc. Thank you for caring.
We need to help and care for each other!
Thanks, Jennifer; some excellent information! This is going directly into my “Well Styled Life” folder for future reference. These days you really can’t be too careful and some of those scam emails really are convincing.
These are scams I haven’t seen yet – especially the Amazon recall! I have friends who were to the point of calling a relative for an emergency loan because a ‘grandchild’ was involved in an accident and needed bail money. They figured it out just in time. Another got a call from ‘Homeland Security’ saying her bank account was compromised and being used to launder money and buy drugs. They gave her an incident number, a badge number, etc. She gave them the name of her bank before warning bells went off. Luckily that’s the only info they got. Thank you for the heads up!
Oh no! We have to really be on our toes.
Thank you for this advice! I have yet to fall for a scam, but you gave me a few more ideas to implement. One thing I might question, though, your recommendation to delete and report as junk. I had read the best thing to do is just to delete. If you report as junk they just switch to another phone to make the call. Then they know your phone number is”live” ( because they are just calling any number at random). One other thing I’d mention: my credit card of choice is American Express. They have even called me to ask whether I have ordered $900 worth of books from an antiquarian bookstore in England (no I did not). They even flagged a purchase of NBA finals floor seats that my husband has no idea I paid that much…….because it was uncharacteristic of any transaction I had done before. I only use VISA for small purchases or when the vendor does not accept Amex. And their help desk is open 24/7.
I’m talking about text scams. Labeling a TEXT as “junk” does not notify the sender of anything. I don’t answer phone calls from unidentified telephone numbers anymore, so when it goes to my voice email, you’re right, they know it’s a live number.
Great advise! Thank you! Another idea is make a list of banks you have accounts with, your financial planner’s name and phone number, and any thing important including what you suggested. Give this list to a trusted family member or friend who lives out of town. Then if you have a fire, tornado, hurricane etc you have that list for yourselves and your family member also has it if they need yo help you.