Beware of scam artists

After losing a loved one, the last thing you are thinking about (or want to think about) are creditors—much less phony creditors. Unfortunately, the grieving are the prime targets for scam artists. In Sunday's The Wall Street Journal, there was a great article, "In Times of Grief, Scam Artists Arrive", regarding how these funeral scam artists read obituaries to find their next victims. (Utterly despicable!)

Some tips as outlined in the article:

• Designate one person, probably not the surviving spouse, to screen claims.
• Take charge of the conversation, by asking follow-up questions.
• Get written proof of the claim.
• Confirm that the person truly represents the company or organization cited.
• Don't make payment immediately; take time to think.

We should ALL take this advice -- not just those grieving and vulnerable. No one is safe from funeral scam artists.