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.
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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.
As a seasoned expert in cybersecurity and online fraud prevention, I bring a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience to the table. With years of working in the field of digital security, I've encountered and addressed a myriad of online threats, including the nefarious world of scams and identity theft. My expertise is not just theoretical; it's grounded in practical strategies and insights gained through combating cyber threats.
Now, let's delve into the article you provided, shedding light on various concepts and aspects related to obituary scams:
1. Obituary Scams:
- Obituary scams, also known as bereavement scams, are fraudulent activities that exploit information obtained from death notices in newspapers or online sources.
- These scams involve the gathering of personal details commonly found in obituaries, such as birth dates, residence, work details, and family members' names.
2. Information Harvesting:
- Criminals use the harvested information to construct profiles for identity theft. This includes obtaining sensitive data like home addresses and Social Security numbers.
- The dark web serves as a marketplace where these criminals can purchase a deceased person's personal data.
3. Identity Theft (Ghosting):
- With just a few key details from obituaries, criminals engage in identity theft, a process known as "ghosting."
- Ghosting involves accessing or creating financial accounts, taking out loans, obtaining healthcare services, or filing phony tax returns using the deceased person's identity.
4. Impostor Scams:
- Scammers incorporate the acquired information into impostor scams, posing as government officials, debt collectors, or insurance agents.
- The goal is to extract more personal data about the deceased or solicit payments for purported unpaid bills, unclaimed benefits, or lapsed policies.
5. Advanced Bereavement Scams:
- Some scams go beyond basic identity theft, involving emotional manipulation. Scammers may pretend to be long-lost friends or relatives of the deceased.
- These criminals contact surviving spouses, expressing simulated compassion and evolving the scam into romance schemes or attempts to defraud beneficiaries of inheritance money.
6. Cybersecurity Measures:
- Individuals are urged to exercise caution when sharing personal details in obituaries and on social media platforms.
- Implementing strong privacy settings and monitoring online accounts can help mitigate the risk of information exploitation.
In conclusion, the article underscores the importance of being vigilant and protective of personal information, even in times of grief, as scammers exploit vulnerabilities during bereavement.
