Patty Bilbo lost $3,500 to scammers who posed as Hightower Funeral Homes staff and asked for PayPal payments while she arranged her mother's funeral. Criminals scan obituaries to target grieving families. Verify funeral home contact info directly before sending money.
Imagine arranging a funeral for a loved one and then suddenly you lose thousands.
To a heartless scammer.
Recently, a Georgia woman named Patty Bilbo lost $3,500.
To scammers.
Claiming to be funeral home employees. While she was arranging.
Her mother's funeral.
She received an unexpected call from someone claiming to be from Hightower Funeral Homes, and they requested her down payment to be sent via PayPal. So she sent it, and then the scammers deceived her again and so that they didn't actually receive the transactions. And so she sent multiple transactions, sending more and more money every time.
This isn't an isolated incident. Scammers are increasingly targeting mourning families, scanning.
Obituaries to.
Impersonate funeral.
Staff and demand.
Immediate payment. Follow these steps to protect yourself.
You recently had.
A loved one deceased, and if you've ever received a call or message requesting payment, contact the funeral home or service provider directly, using official contact information to confirm its legitimacy to scan. Scammers often create a sense of urgency to pressure you into making decisions quickly. Don't do it. 3. Wherever possible, make payments securely through secure channels, preferably using a credit card, because it's a lot easier to get your money back and report a fraud for. Inform your relatives about these scams, especially those who might be more vulnerable. If you suspect that you've been targeted by such a scam, report it immediately. In times of grief, it is crucial to stay vigilant. Follow for more cybersecurity and scam prevention tips.
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