When a spouse, parent, sibling or close friend dies, it’s natural to want to tell that individual’s story — to share in obituaries what made the cherished person special and to swap memories on social media. But as you celebrate a loved one’s life and mourn his or her death, take care with what you share, because scammers are paying attention too.
Obituary scams, also known as bereavement scams, typically start with information gleaned from death notices in newspapers or posted online. Criminals harvest facts commonly included in obits — such as the deceased’s birth date, where the person lived and worked, and family members’ names — to start building a profile foridentity theft.
With just a few key details, criminals can locate and purchase a dead person’s personal data on the dark web, including home address and Social Security number. They use that information toaccess or create financial accounts, take out loans, obtain health care or filephony tax returns(and claim bogus refunds) under the deceased’s name — a form of ID theft dubbed ghosting.
Or they’ll weave what they’ve learned about a recent death intoimpostor scamstargeting a surviving spouse or other family member. Criminals posing as government officials, debt collectors or insurance agents try to pry loose more personal data about the deceased, or solicit payment for a supposedly unpaid bill, unclaimed benefit or lapsed policy.
Some bereavement scams are more involved, and they can get personal. Obit-scouring criminals pretend to be long-lost friends or relatives of the deceased, contacting surviving spouses out of the blue to commiserate and reminisce. These displays of simulated compassion can evolve intoromance scamsor attempts to defraud beneficiaries out of inheritance money.
FAQs
It's important to remember that an obituary is supposed to be an announcement and brief biography of the deceased. Don't feel the need to recount every detail of their life. Also try to avoid bragging about every accomplishment or award the deceased received.
What not to include in obituary identity theft? ›
When you begin writing the obituary, try to omit details that could be used for identity theft including:
- Deceased's date and place of birth, middle name, maiden name, mother's maiden name or employment history and home address.
- Personal information of the surviving relatives.
Obituaries should not be written in the first person. This means you should not use "I" language. Remember that an obituary is not a personal tribute, like a sympathy card or condolence letter. You should also exclude personal addresses and phone numbers.
Why would someone not want an obituary? ›
Reasons a Family Might Not Want to Write an Obituary
Some may feel that it is too personal or private to share with the public, while others may not have the financial means to pay for its publication. Additionally, some families may prefer to grieve privately and not draw attention to the death.
What is the proper way to list family members in an obituary? ›
The order should go as followed: spouse, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, parents, and siblings. It should be noted that nieces, nephews, cousins, and in-laws are typically unmentioned unless they were especially close to the deceased.
What is the best opening line for an obituary? ›
“It is with great sadness that the family of (deceased name) announce (his/her) passing….” “(Deceased name) will be sadly missed by ….” “Fondly remembered by….” “Forever remembered by….”
What 4 pieces of information does an identity theft need? ›
Identity theft involves acquiring key pieces of someone's identifying information, such as name, address, date of birth, social security number, and/or mother's maiden name in order to commit, aid, or abet any crime.
What can a scammer do with a death certificate? ›
Criminals look for personal details in obituaries, funeral homes, hospitals, stolen death certificates, and websites online to commit identity fraud. Thieves can use the personal information of the deceased to help guess their Social Security number or purchase it online.
What is the most critical piece of information to an identity theft? ›
Critical data you should keep under lock and key: Birth certificate. Social Security Number. Taxpayer Identification Number.
What do names in parentheses mean in obituaries? ›
If you like to be technical, names should be listed as follows: first name, spouse's first name in parenthesis, then surname (ex: Tom (Sarah) Johnson). If the spouse or partner's surname is different, include their surname in the parenthesis along with their first name (ex: Tom (Sarah Williams) Johnson).
A note on estranged family members. In general, it's best to avoid leaving out essential family members‚ even if they're estranged. This could cause hurt feelings.
What is safe to put in an obituary? ›
A list of the surviving relatives. The date of death. The location (city/state) where they died. Details about the funeral service: date, time, place.
What happens if no one writes an obituary? ›
Obituaries are not required by law , so the deceased's family might have chosen to forego publishing one. Publishing an obituary can be expensive , and the funds may be unavailable. The deceased has few family members or friends , so there might have, unfortunately, been no need for an obituary.
How do you honor a loved one without a funeral? ›
11 Ideas for Memorializing Deceased Loved Ones
- Turn their ashes into a cremation diamond. ...
- Visit their final resting place. ...
- Do something they enjoyed or you did together. ...
- Have a memorial release with balloons or butterflies. ...
- Listen to their favorite songs or watch their favorite movies.
Costs vary by publication. Newspapers charge by the line and can average $450 for a complete obituary. The average obituary cost begins at $200.00 and increases due to the amount of content, including a photograph and the length of the obituary.
What information is essential in an obituary? ›
A list of the surviving relatives. The date of death. The location (city/state) where they died. Details about the funeral service: date, time, place.
What is a simple obituary example? ›
[Full Name], aged [age of the deceased], passed away peacefully on [date of death], at [location of death]. He/she was born on [date of birth], in [birthplace], to [names of parents]. He/she was a proud resident of [city of residence] and was a 1975 graduate of Holy Cross High School.
Should you include your birthdate in an obituary? ›
Even the most sensational obituaries should include key details about the person's life and death. First, you'll want to include the person's name, birth place, age, date of death, location and cause of death (optional).
Can an obituary be negative? ›
Obituary notices are viewed as a legal notices to the general public. Future generations need a clean slate. Writing a hurtful obituary breaches the Golden Rule.
