In today’s world, people have access to all kinds of innovative devices and platforms, which help them defraud victims out of money and personal information. In the 2017 Identity Fraud Study published by Javelin Strategy & Research, it was found that nearly 15.4 million shoppers were the target of some form of identity theft in 2016 alone.
Anyone can be a victim of identity theft and extortion, but unfortunately, it seems that the most common targets these days are the deceased and their families. This is especially true for widows and widowers. If you’ve just lost a loved one, keep reading to learn some ways to protect yourself against identity theft and other types of similar crimes.
Identity theft and obituaries
Obituaries are one of the first places criminals look for the personal information they need to steal the identity of the deceased. These thieves may obtain a person’s address, date of birth, maiden name, place of birth, names of relatives, and much more identifying information. They can use this information to open multiple accounts, get credit, take out loans, and much more. They can even file taxes in the deceased’s name and collect an annual refund.
For this reason, it is wise to limit the amount of personal information you submit in your loved one’s obituary. Refrain from including sensitive details such as dates of birth, addresses, and maiden names. This information is very useful for criminals. Also, be sure to submit your loved one’s death certificate to the appropriate financial organizations. This includes the IRS, DMV, banks, brokerage firms, credit card companies, mortgage companies, and credit bureaus like Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
extortion scams
Thieves don’t just steal the deceased’s identity, they often go after the next of kin. A common scam used against family members, especially widows and widowers, is the debt collector scam. This is when a criminal with a large amount of personal information about the deceased and her family contacts the next of kin who claims to be a debt collector. They demand that relatives pay the deceased’s debts, and may even threaten legal action.
Sometimes instead of claiming there is a debt, they claim they have vital financial or legal documents, but only release them for a fee. Tips to avoid this: Never make payments or give out personal information over the phone. Also, ask the caller for details about himself; this usually scares them. For example, ask them for a name and phone number, and then tell them you’ll call them back. This often works.
inheritance scams
Another common scam operated by thieves who take advantage of the deceased’s closest relatives is the inheritance scam. A criminal will pose as an insurance agent or lawyer and claim that he or she is owed a payment from an insurance policy or an inheritance. They will tell him that in order to receive it, he must first pay the final premium payment or processing fee. If this happens to you, be sure to ask the scammer various details to catch him and scare him over the phone. If they are legitimate, they will have an office for you to visit and official documentation to review.
