Beware, ye landlubbers! Scoundrels be tryin' to plunder yer purse in a dastardly funeral scam. Avast, me hearties!
2024-03-10
Arrr mateys, beware of the scurvy dogs tryin' to swindle ye in yer time of grief! These knaves be pretendin' to be funeral parlor bosses, lookin' to snatch yer pieces of eight. Keep a weather eye out and don't be fooled by their treacherous ways! Arrr!
Scammers have reached a new low, targeting surviving family members of the recently deceased in a twisted new scam. Pretending to be from funeral homes, scammers demand more payment or threaten to cancel the funeral, preying on vulnerable loved ones already under immense stress. The Federal Trade Commission has issued alerts to the funeral industry, but individuals can take steps to protect themselves from falling victim to this heartless scam.Charlatans use urgency and ultimatums to catch victims off guard, hoping to prevent rational thinking. They may even manipulate caller IDs to appear as though they are from a legitimate source. If in doubt, hang up and verify the information through official channels. Scammers often request unusual forms of payment to prevent traceability.Identity theft protection services can help shield against potential scams, monitoring personal information and assisting with freezing accounts. When dealing with the aftermath of a loved one's passing, it is crucial to safeguard privacy and financial well-being from scammers seeking to exploit grief.Steps such as crafting obituaries carefully, promptly reporting to Social Security and the IRS, notifying financial institutions, alerting credit bureaus, and monitoring credit reports can help prevent fraud. Vigilance and caution are essential when dealing with contacts claiming connections to the deceased. It's crucial to stay informed and empowered to protect against these heartless schemes and honor the memory of lost loved ones.