Unfortunately, it isn’t uncommon for people to prey on those who are vulnerable. That’s why it’s important to be aware of the ways crooks might try to scam or take advantage of the bereaved.

The compassionate funeral planning experts at Eackles-Spencer & Norton Funeral Home in Harpers Ferry, WV, know that dealing with the loss of a loved one is hard enough without being the victim of a crime. To ensure your loved ones remain safe during their mourning periods, these professionals say you need to keep an eye out for the following bereavement scams.

Phishing for Personal Information

Sadly, it’s easy for crooks and scammers to find out when someone has passed away—it can be as simple as scanning the obituary put out during funeral planning or paying attention to neighborhood gossip. They’ll often try to take advantage of such a scenario by posing as a bank or government official, asking for detailed personal and financial information of the deceased. If you receive such calls or emails, be wary of them and don’t provide any information without first getting them to prove their identity. 

Identity Theft

When a person steals the identity of someone who has passed away, it’s called “ghosting,” and, unfortunately, it happens all too often. Sadly, the most common target for this type of theft is deceased children. Scammers will steal their Social Security numbers to claim them as dependents for tax benefits. You can protect yourself and your loved ones from such a scenario by safeguarding the departed’s personal information and sending copies of their death certificate to the Internal Revenue Service. 

To learn more about how to protect your family from being taken advantage of during your period of mourning, contact the funeral planning professionals at Eackles-Spencer & Norton Funeral Home. Give their compassionate and caring team a call today at (304) 724-6500 to schedule an appointment, and visit them online for a closer look at their services.