Identity theft of the person who died ("ghosting")
High risk
What happens
Criminals scan obituaries and public records to open credit, file fake tax refunds, or take over accounts in a dead person's name — often before the family even finishes the funeral.
How to protect yourself
- Notify banks, credit bureaus, and tax authorities promptly and flag the records as deceased.
- Do not put the full birth date AND home address in a public obituary.
- Shred mail with personal details; redirect or monitor incoming post.
- Secure their email first — it is the password-reset key to everything else.