Section 8
Pillar three: Safety, privacy, and security
A few simple habits keep you and your information safer.
Golden rules
- Never type your passwords, bank PIN, or full Social Security number into a chat, unless a trusted family member set up a secure way to store them and is helping you.
- The assistant asks before acting. Read what it shows you before saying yes, especially if it involves money.
- When in doubt, wait. Real emergencies and real businesses can wait while you check with a family member.
- Do not use a phone number that arrived in the message. Stop, and ask a family member which number is safe to call.
Common scam warning signs
- Someone pressures you to act right now.
- Someone asks for payment by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency.
- Someone claims a family member is in trouble and asks you to keep it secret.
- You “won” something but must pay a fee first.
- A message asks you to click a link to “fix” your account.
If anything feels off, ask your assistant: “Does this look like a scam?” Then talk to someone you trust before doing anything.
Your private information
- Only the people and services you or your family member connected can be reached through the assistant.
- You can ask what it remembers about you, and ask it to forget something.
- Lock your phone or computer with a passcode, and do not share it with strangers.
- If you get a message or code you were not expecting, do not share it. Tell a family member.