Title: Beware of Phone Scammers Targeting Bereaved Families Planning Funerals
Date: August 12, 2023 | 1:57pm
Author: Deirdre Bardolf
Telephone scammers have taken their deceitful tactics to a new level by targeting grieving family members who are in the process of planning funerals for their loved ones. In an act that has been deemed “despicable” by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), these criminals are preying on vulnerable individuals during their time of deep sorrow.
The scam begins with the scammers scouring recent obituaries to identify families who have recently lost a loved one and are in the process of making funeral arrangements. The con artists then attain additional information such as the name of the funeral home and even the directors.
Once armed with these details, the scammers employ various tactics to extract money from the grieving families. Some claim there is an issue with their credit card or that additional funds are required to ensure the arrangements proceed smoothly. Others threaten to cancel the services altogether unless money is sent immediately or convince the victims to pay for insurance coverage for the funeral services in case of any mishap.
The International Cemetery, Cremation & Funeral Association has reported that this scam has been detected in California, Pennsylvania, and Ohio.
One such victim is Lisa Ann Motto of Florida, who tragically lost her husband to lung cancer in July. The day after her husband’s passing, Motto received an urgent call from a man claiming to be handling her husband’s cremation. The man demanded that she send $5,000 or an initial installment of $2,500 via Zelle or Apple Pay for “insurance purposes.” Motto, like many others who have fallen victim to this scam, described the scammers as catching her at an incredibly weak moment and expressed her anger towards them.
In response to these incidents, the funeral home that handled Motto’s husband’s services is collaborating with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office in Fort Myers to investigate the incident.
To protect oneself from falling prey to this heartless scam, the FTC advises individuals to resist the pressure to act immediately. Honest funeral businesses will allow time for decision-making. Additionally, the agency warns against paying through wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or checks.
Instead, families should contact funeral homes directly using the numbers provided on their official websites. Any instances of fraud can be reported to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
As these scammers continue to exploit grieving individuals during their most vulnerable moments, it is crucial for families to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions. By spreading awareness about this scam, we can empower the community to protect themselves and their loved ones from becoming victims of such callous acts.