The phone line and Landline Guard

For a parent with a landline or flip phone: call (888) 488-1785 to check a number, reach family or hear the weekly warning.

PonchoGuard has a toll-free phone line: (888) 488-1785. Your parent does not need the app. The line speaks slowly, and nothing is recorded.

What to press

• Press 1 to check a phone number that called you. Type the number, then press the pound key.
• Press 2 to call your family. PonchoGuard rings the family, in order, until someone answers. This works only from a family phone that has been added.
• Press 3 to hear this week's scam warning.
• Press 0 to hear the choices again.

Add your parent's phone

1. In the family dashboard, open the Family tab and find Landline or basic phone.
2. Type a Name for this phone and the Phone number. Choose landline or basic mobile phone, then press Add this phone.
3. Press Call it with a code (or Text it a code for a mobile). Your parent answers and hears a 6-digit code.
4. Type the code and press Confirm. On that call, your parent presses 1 to let the family see their checks.

Texting the number

From a mobile phone, your parent can also text a suspicious message to the same number. The reply starts with "Likely scam", "Be careful" or "Looks okay", and says what to do next.

Landline Guard

Landline Guard is the plan for a parent with no smartphone. It covers 2 phones and up to 3 helpers, with Call my family and the check-in calls. See Plans and billing.