Look Out for These Common Scams Following a Loved One’s Death
People are usually very vulnerable when they’re in the process of mourning the loss of a loved one. They let their guards down because they’re so busy trying to grieve while also planning out funeral services at a Clarkdale, GA funeral home.
Believe it or not, there are some people out there who will actually try to scam people who are stuck in a state of grief. They’ll attempt to pull all kinds of awful scams to rip people off when they’re at their lowest. Check out a few of biggest scams that you might face after losing a loved one.
Phony Debt Collector Calls
Did someone just call you and tell you that you owe a bunch of money on your loved one’s behalf? They may have provided you with information about your loved one and even shared some personal information, like their Social Security number, with you. You might be under the impression that this person is telling you the truth and that you do owe money thanks to a debt your loved one was carrying around. But more than likely, it’s part of a scam. There are people who will piece together information from an obituary as well as information they find online to try and get a person’s family members to send them money. You should always get legal advice before you send money to any debt collectors on behalf of your loved one.
Home Burglaries During Funeral Services
It seems crazy to think that anyone would rob a family dealing with a loved one’s death. But it happens more often than you might think. There are people who will troll the obituaries pages of a newspaper and look for those families who have listed their loved one’s address in their obituary. They’ll then make a note of when their funeral services in Clarkdale, GA are being held and rob their home when they know no one will be there. Steer clear of putting your loved one’s address in their obituary. Additionally, ask someone who won’t be attending their funeral services to stay in your loved one’s home during them. It’ll ensure the home is protected from evildoers.
Fake Email Invitations Containing Malware
Some scammers have gone high-tech with their funeral scams. They’ve figured out a way to send out fake email invitations to people about the funeral services of a loved one. These invites look legit and appear as though they were sent by a funeral home. But when a person opens one of these invitations and clicks on the link in it, they open up their computer to malware that can obtain personal information from them. You should call a funeral home to check on the legitimacy of an email invitation before opening it up, especially if it looks impersonal and doesn’t have your loved one’s name in the subject.
Davis-Struempf Funeral Home & Crematory can advise you of some of the other scams that people use to prey on grieving families. We can also assist you in preparing a burial or cremation in Clarkdale, GA for your loved one. Contact us at (770) 944-2900 to begin making funeral arrangements or stop by 1975 E West Connector, Austell, GA 30106 to speak with a funeral director.
