How To Set Up a Family Scam Response Plan
A step-by-step guide to creating a simple family plan so everyone knows exactly what to do if a scam happens — before it does.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Having a plan before a scam happens dramatically improves the outcome if one does. A family scam response plan does not need to be complicated — it is a shared understanding of what to do, who to call, and which numbers to use. Creating it together, when there is no crisis, makes it far more likely that people will actually use it.
What a family plan covers
A good plan addresses prevention, detection, and response — all three stages.
- A shared awareness of the scam types most likely to target family members
- A safe word or agreed signal that triggers a 'pause and check' without judgment
- A list of who to call first in each scenario (family member, bank, fraud line)
- Official numbers written down and stored in a physical and digital location
Creating the plan together
A plan made together is more likely to be used than one imposed from outside.
- Start with a brief, non-alarming family conversation — frame it as a drill, not a threat
- Ask each family member what they would do if they received a suspicious call
- Fill gaps and build the plan around their actual responses
- Review and update the plan once a year
Key numbers to include
Write these down and store them somewhere accessible without a device.
- Your bank's fraud line (on the back of your card)
- Action Fraud (UK: 0300 123 2040) or your national fraud reporting service
- A trusted family contact for each member of the household
- Local council or care services number if relevant
After a scam happens
Having a post-scam response agreed in advance reduces panic and improves outcomes.
- The first call is always to the bank's fraud line — speed matters
- No blame or judgment — the response focuses on recovery, not fault
- Agreed steps: report to Action Fraud, change passwords, check credit file
- A family debrief after the immediate crisis to update the plan
Conversation script
“I wanted us to do something together — just agree on what we'd do if any of us got a scam call or message. It would take about 20 minutes and would mean we all know what to do.”
“If I ever call you and something seems wrong, just use our safe word and we'll stop and check. And the same goes the other way.”
“We're not doing this because anyone is at risk — we're doing it because having a plan makes it much more likely to end well if it does happen.”
Frequently asked questions
What if some family members refuse to take part?
Focus on the people who are willing. Even partial coverage is valuable. For those who are resistant, keep it low-key: 'I just want you to have our number saved so you can call me if anything feels off.' That is a much lower barrier than a full family planning session.
How often should we update the plan?
Once a year is a good baseline — scam tactics change, and family circumstances change too. A brief review after a major life event (retirement, a bereavement, someone moving abroad) is also worthwhile.