Fake debt collectors chasing the estate
Medium risk
What happens
Scammers contact grieving relatives claiming the deceased owed money, pressuring them to pay personally and fast. In general, debts are paid from the estate, not by relatives personally.
How to protect yourself
- Never pay a "debt" on the spot. Ask for it in writing and verify it against the person's records.
- In most cases relatives are NOT personally liable for a deceased's individual debts — the estate is.
- Be wary of urgency, threats, or demands for gift cards / wire transfers.