Death is a part of life and losing someone we love is unimaginable. We grieve in our own ways and phases. The best thing we can do to remember them and to keep a part of them is to celebrate their life and their legacy. We also want to protect their names and reputation. However, scammers may keep our loved ones from resting in peace.
After someone dies, it may take a few months for financial institutions, credit bureaus, and government entities to update their records. This gives an open window for scammers to steal the personal information of the deceased to commit fraud.
Scammers may use the personal information of the deceased to open new accounts, apply for loans, or file tax refunds.
How to prevent Ghosting Scam attacks
Aside from being careful about what you share online or in printed publications, these best practices can help you veer away from this scam:
- Do not give out too much information about your loved one’s full name, birthdate, home address, or even their social security number in an obituary.
- Inform the following agencies as soon as possible after death to stop any unauthorized transactions or claims:
- Monitor your loved one’s credit report and financial accounts regularly for any suspicious activity. Get a free copy of their credit report once a year at www.annualcreditreport.com.
- Report any cases of ghosting scams to the police and fraud prevention organizations such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
What should we do when a deceased family member’s identity is stolen? Continue reading.
Worry no more! Trend Micro Has Your Back
What can you do? Don’t let the scammers get away with it. Remember to do your research, and stick to the big names. For further reference, this Middle-Eastern news website has published a good article with some helpful suggestions for who to donate to.
We would encourage readers to use our FREE Trend Micro Check tool and detect scams with ease: Trend Micro Check is an all-in-one browser extension and mobile app for detecting scams, phishing attacks, malware, and dangerous links.
Check out this page for more information on Trend Micro Check. If you found this article interesting or helpful, please share it with your friends and family to help keep the online community safe. Feel free to leave a like and comment as well.
