Funeral Arrangement Scams

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WHAT ARE THE SIGNS THAT THIS IS A SCAM?

You are visited at your home or contacted via telephone, email or mail by an individual with an offer to help you with pre-paying for your burial and/or arranging your funeral plans at a discounted rate. The offer may include a discounted burial plot, casket or funeral ceremony. The individual may say he or she is from Medicaid, Medicare, a government agency, or another legitimate organization.

The individual may also say he or she is a financial planner or some other type of expert, and offer to help you set up a pre-paid burial or funeral account in order to spare your family the cost of your funeral.

These individuals may use pushy sales tactics, ask for your personal information, or continue to contact you until you agree to their offer.




HOW CAN CONSUMERS PROTECT THEMSELVES?

Many seniors may wish to spare their loved ones the burden of planning a funeral. However, it is best not to respond to solicitations for funeral arrangement services or pre-paid burial offers. If you are interested in making these arrangements, work with a trusted family member or friend, and research the costs.

Visit several funeral homes of your choice to discuss pre-need arrangements. Do not sign anything on your first visit. Insist on taking the information home to compare and discuss prior to signing anything.

Funeral homes must provide detailed price lists before accepting payment for any arrangements. Make sure to ask for a written price list, and share this with a trusted family member or friend to ensure you are dealing with a scrupulous funeral home.

Carefully read any contracts or written information carefully, or ask a trusted family member or friend to review the contract for you.

Research the company with your local Better Business Bureau (513-421-3015).

Do not give in to pushy or high-pressure sales tactics. If you are uncomfortable with the sales approach, close the door, hang up the phone and do not respond to their attempts to contact you. If you continue to feel harassed, contact your local police department.


HOW TO REPORT IF YOU’VE BEEN A VICTIM

Local Police Department: If you think you’ve lost money or your identity to a funeral arrangement scam, immediately contact your local police department to file a report.

Cincinnati office of the IRS Criminal Investigation Unit: Contact Special Agent Doug Ryan at (513) 263-3333.

FBI: Contact the local FBI office at (513) 421-4310.

Ohio Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors: If you have any complaints about a funeral home, contact the Ohio Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors (www.funeral.ohio.gov):
   77 South High Street, 16th Floor
   Columbus, Ohio 43215-6108
   (614) 466-4252.