Funerals are solemn events, and sadly, some people take advantage of those who are grieving. Recently, scammers have been using Facebook to target people by offering fake links to live-streamed funerals in exchange for credit card information.
How These Scams Work
Scammers know that sometimes people can't attend the funeral of a loved one in person, so they’ve started creating fake Facebook pages that claim to offer livestreams of these services.
For example, let’s say someone named Bob A. Sample has passed away. A scammer might create a Facebook group with information about Bob’s funeral and offer a livestream of the event. When family and friends click on the link, they are directed to a website that asks for their credit card details—sometimes even asking for donations in memory of Bob. Of course, this is all a scam, and the money doesn’t go to the family.
These Scams Are Becoming More Common
Cybersecurity expert Brian Krebs and others have reported on these scams, showing that many of the links lead to websites that look like streaming services. MalwareBytes Labs also found similar fake sites, often asking users to log in to "watch movies," which is clearly misleading for a funeral livestream. After logging in, people are asked for credit card details, supposedly to verify their location for the stream. These sites sometimes have hidden fees, too, tricking users into signing up for more charges without realizing it.
How to Protect Yourself
To avoid falling for these scams, follow these tips:
- Check with the funeral home - If you see a link for a funeral livestream, always verify it through the official website of the funeral home. Many funeral homes are now stating upfront that they don’t offer livestreams, which can help prevent these scams.
- Never provide credit card information - Watching a funeral livestream should always be free. If you’re asked for payment, it’s likely a scam. The UK’s National Association of Funeral Directors advises: “Funeral livestreams are free of charge. Any fundraising or livestream links should come from the family or funeral director directly.”
Always double-check any links with the family or funeral director before clicking, and be cautious of friend or page requests that seem suspicious. Following these simple steps can help protect you from falling victim to these scams.
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