The scam is simple, according to the Jones-Wynn Funeral Home in Douglas County. The funeral home has reported that “least three times within the past month, its customers have reported someone posing as an employee and demanding more money. The scammer claims the new price is to cover liability insurance.”
Fox News prepared a 2-minute News video alerting the public to the details of the scam. The video reports: “They are trying to trick you into giving them money by posing as funeral home representatives. Here’s what you need to know to keep from becoming a victim.” The Jones-Wynn Funeral Home is sounding the alarm.
Funeral home director Ellen Wynn McBrayer said “I can’t even get in my mind how someone can do something like this.” McBrayer elaborated: “We provide a safe space for families to grieve. We are emotional first responders.”
Wynn McBrayer emphasized: “We don’t call families back for extra money after we initially sit down with them.” The funeral home says one family did fall victim to the scam. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Department confirms someone ran the same scheme last August.
Scammers are pervasive. See this related news release: Someone is preying on grieving families in Cherokee County: ‘Just the lowest of the low’
Wynn McBrayer cautions that other funeral homes have likely been or likely will be targeted. Wynn McBrayer offers precautionary suggestions. “My advice would be to call us, like our families did, if you feel uncertain,” adding “Ask questions of your trusted funeral director.”
