Defense Against Scams: GFDA Update

The Georgia Funeral Directors Association has been notified of various and continually evolving scams targeting the families served by multiple funeral homes across the state. This scam is not only impacting families in Georgia but nationwide. 

Reports include unauthorized individuals contacting families, stating they are from the funeral home or insurance company, and requesting immediate payment to continue with the plans made.

Examples which have been shared with the GFDA office. 

• Lost check and immediate payment is required. 
• Requesting payment by credit card or cash app. 
• Stating the family is due a refund and requesting bank or credit card information to issue the refund. 
• Asking the family to participate in a survey about the recent funeral and awarding a gift card for their participation; however, a credit card is needed to verify identity. 
• Using funeral home staff names.

Scammers have the ability to make it appear calls are from your funeral home and phone number.

Here are tips from Federal Trade Commission you can share for spotting and avoiding this scam: 

• Resist the pressure to act immediately. Honest businesses will give you time to make a decision. Anyone who pressures you to pay or give them your personal information is a scammer.
  
• Contact the funeral home directly. Use a phone number that you know is real, not one you got from the scammer’s text, email, or phone call. If you don’t know it, you’ll find it on the General Price List you got from the funeral home.