By Voung H.
Voung oversees AML/BSA, fraud prevention, and sanctions compliance and is responsible for building data-driven controls and partners across the FIGFCU to safeguard Members and stop emerging threats.
SUMMARY
- Ghost scamming is when a fraudster steals the identity of someone who has passed away
- Be sure to notify all financial institutions of a loved one’s passing
- We will never contact you asking for your personal or account info
In today’s digital world, staying safe from fraud is more important than ever. One of the lesser-known risks is something called ghost scamming. While the name is similar to ghost tapping, which we wrote about in December, it’s an entirely different form of fraud.
What exactly is ghost scamming? It’s when criminals steal and use the identity of a deceased person to open credit accounts, file tax returns, apply for loans, or access existing financial information. Because the individual is no longer around to notice suspicious activity, these scams can go unnoticed for quite some time. For families already coping with loss, discovering this type of fraud can be incredibly upsetting.
Ghost scamming often begins with publicly available information. Obituaries, social media pages, genealogy websites, and even old data breaches can provide just enough detail for scammers to get started. Information such as birthdates, past addresses, or family names can make a scammer’s job easier. From there, they may try to access dormant accounts, request credit under the person’s name, or use the identity to apply for government benefits. In some cases, they even take over social media accounts to gather more personal details or reach out to loved ones.
We know this can sound unsettling, but there are simple steps you can take to help protect your family and reduce the risk.
Here’s what we recommend:
1. Notify financial institutions promptly.
When a loved one passes away, let their bank, credit union, and other financial providers know as soon as you can. Everyone at FIGFCU is here to help make the process as easy and supportive as possible. Call us directly at 800.877.2345. We will never call or text you and ask for the private information such as a Social Security Number, account or credit card number, username, password, or one-time passcode of a loved one who has passed.
2. Request a credit bureau “deceased” flag.
Credit reporting agencies can mark an account as belonging to a deceased individual. This makes it much harder for scammers to open new credit lines. For more details on contacting the credit reporting agencies, click here.
3. Secure or close online accounts.
Social media, email, and online shopping accounts can be misused if left unattended. Many platforms allow you to memorialize or close a profile safely.
4. Be cautious with personal information in obituaries.
While it’s natural to want to honor a loved one, it’s best to avoid including too many personal details, especially birthdays, maiden names, or their home address.
5. Keep important documents secure.
Birth certificates, tax documents, and identification papers should be stored safely, even after someone has passed.
Final thoughts.
We’re here to support you. If you ever receive a notice that doesn’t seem right, or you’re unsure whether a letter, email, or phone call is legitimate, reach out to us. We can check for unusual activity and help give you peace of mind.
If you receive a call from someone claiming to be a Credit Union employee and they ask for your account information or the information of a loved one who has passed away (such as online banking username, password, one-time passcode, credit card number, account number, etc.), do not give them any information. Even if the caller has an identifying piece of information or the call appears to be from our 800 number. This call is NOT legitimate. Scammers can spoof phone numbers to make it appear that the call is coming from a trusted source. The Credit Union will not call you and ask for this information. Hang up and contact us directly at 800.877.2345.
Ghost scamming is a reminder that our identities, and those of our loved ones, continue to matter long after we’re gone. By taking a few simple precautions and staying aware, you can help protect your family and keep your financial future secure.
For more information on ways to protect your account, visit our Security Center and Current Scams pages on our website.
