In today’s digital world, cyber scams are becoming a serious threat by taking advantage of the trust people place in family members and close friends. Scammers use fake messages and phone calls to impersonate loved ones, sometimes using advanced technologies like AI-driven voice cloning to deceive victims. To help prevent scams such as the well-known “child in distress” fraud, this text recommends a strong preventive measure: setting up a unique secret code shared only among trusted individuals to verify identity and protect personal and financial information.
When you receive any communication, whether by message or phone call, asking for money or verification codes because of an emergency, it is very important to ask for the agreed-upon secret code. This code should be a unique and personally meaningful word or phrase, such as the name of a family ancestor, a special childhood item, or a shared reference known only to close trusted people. If the person asking cannot provide the secret code, this is a clear sign of a scam, even if they use advanced methods like voice imitation to sound like someone you trust.
Typically, scammers start by pretending to be family members or friends in urgent situations, asking for immediate money transfers or authentication codes, like six-digit codes sent through messaging apps. These codes give criminals unauthorized access to the victims’ accounts, allowing them to continue the scam by contacting other people. That’s why it is very important to never share these codes and always carefully verify who is requesting them before taking any action.
To stay protected from these threats, it is highly recommended to do the following: set up a secret code with close family and friends; avoid sharing verification codes you get from apps; turn on two-step verification on messaging apps; and if someone says they’re in trouble, confirm their identity by contacting them directly through a trusted method, like calling their usual phone number.
The goal of using a secret code is to provide a reliable way to prevent cyber scams that take advantage of trust in loved ones. By asking for this code, you can be sure about the identity of the person you are talking to, even when advanced techniques like voice cloning are used. Using this measure strengthens personal and financial security, allowing people to face the risks of the digital world with confidence.
Community Policing Central Unit – General Headquarters of Public Security and Safety
SPANISH NATIONAL POLICE