The most common funeral scams: Recognize and avoid them

The most common funeral scams

Most funeral scams involve impersonation, with scammers pretending to be representatives from funeral homes or similar institutions. These scammers often target grieving families and exploit their emotions for financial gain. Learn about the different types of funeral scams to understand how they work.

• 1. Prepaid funeral scams

• 2. Prepaid cremation scams

• 3. Funeral package scams

• 4. Fake funeral notices

• 5. Fake invoices

• 6. Fake live streams

1. Prepaid funeral scams

A prepaid funeral scam occurs when scammers pose as funeral home representatives and offer great deals for prepaid funeral plans. Victims pay for their funeral in advance, believing that this money will cover all of the costs. Unfortunately, the scammers disappear with the money and leave the victims without the promised funeral services.

While pre-planning a funeral can offer peace of mind, it’s crucial to verify the provider’s legitimacy and be cautious of deals that sound too good to be true.

2. Prepaid cremation scams

Similar to a prepaid funeral scam, a prepaid cremation scam involves bad actors offering fake prepaid cremation services. These scammers offer low prices and attractive deals, then vanish with the money, leaving the victims without the promised cremation services.

3. Funeral package scams

Funerals can be expensive, so scammers try to lure victims by offering cheaper funeral packages. However, the scammers disappear as soon as they receive the money.

Be wary of funeral packages that seem too good. Also, research the funeral provider and request a written contract before committing to anything.

4. Fake funeral notices

Scammers send out fake funeral notices via email or social media, claiming that someone you know has died. These fake notices often include requests for money or a link to a malicious website. If you click on the phishing link, you might unknowingly download malware or reveal your personal or financial information.

The goal of using these fake notices is to catch you off guard and make you act without verifying the information, so don’t send any money or click on any links unless you know the notice is coming from someone you can trust.

5. Fake invoices

Some scammers send out fake invoices for funeral services that were never provided. These fake invoices often look authentic and may be sent directly to grieving families, making it less likely for victims to suspect a phishing scam. Always cross-check any invoices you receive and don’t make any payments until you verify them with the funeral home.

6. Fake live streams

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, live streaming has become a popular way to attend funerals if you can’t be there in person. Unfortunately, scammers exploit this trend by setting up fake live streams and charging fees for access. Victims pay the fee to say their final goodbyes, only to find that the link doesn’t work.

How do funeral scams work?

Funeral scams typically involve cybercriminals preying on vulnerable people who are dealing with the loss of a loved one. Scammers often pose as funeral home representatives and use phishing or vishing tactics to gather personal and financial information from their victims. In some cases, the scammers even create fake funeral home websites to trick people into paying for services they’ll never receive.

How to spot a funeral scam

Although funeral scams are becoming more sophisticated, you can identify them if you know the most common red flags.

• A sense of urgency. Scammers often use high-pressure tactics to get you to act while you’re still vulnerable. If you receive urgent requests for money, it may be a scam.
• Unusual payment requests. Legitimate funeral homes accept standard forms of payment, so watch out for payment requests through unconventional methods, such as gift cards or wire transfers. Always verify payment requests with the funeral home directly to avoid gift card scams and wire fraud.
• Poor communication. Scammers often send out poorly written messages, so look for grammatical errors, odd fonts, and inconsistent information. Be suspicious of emails that look too generic and lack specific details about your situation.
• Fake or unverifiable reviews. Scammers may write fake reviews to appear more legitimate. Verify the funeral home’s reputation through multiple sources and check for red flags in their reviews.
• A lack of transparency. A reputable and legitimate funeral home will always provide clear information about its pricing and services, so be cautious if you notice any unexplained fees or vague descriptions.

How to avoid funeral scams

Making final arrangements is already stressful, and dealing with scammers and cybercriminals adds an unnecessary challenge. Follow our guidelines and learn to avoid funeral scams altogether.

• Know your rights. In the United States, legitimate funeral homes must follow the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Funeral Rule. Under this regulation, consumers have the right to get a general price list from a funeral provider. If your chosen funeral home hesitates to provide a price list, find a new service provider.
• Be cautious of prepayment plans. Prepayment plans can be a great way to give you and your family members peace of mind. However, these plans can also come with risks if you don’t choose a legitimate provider or take the right precautions. If you’d still like to go with the prepaid options, check the service provider’s qualifications, figure out what happens to your money if the funeral home goes out of business, and get copies of any signed documents.
• Research funeral service providers. Don’t forget to thoroughly research funeral homes before committing to a service provider. Check their reviews and ask for recommendations from trusted sources such as friends and family.
• Avoid oversharing in obituaries. Unfortunately, scammers may also scour obituaries for personally identifiable information and use that data for identity theft. When crafting an obituary for the deceased, avoid including financial information and personal identifiers such as their home address or maiden name.
• Take your time. Funeral planning can be a very emotional process, so avoid rushing into decisions during this period of grief. Compare all your options, ask questions, and bring an unbiased friend or family member to help with decision-making.