SCAMS BULLETIN Host Jay White is a volunteer attorney who provides free legal assistance for low income seniors in San Mateo County, California.

May 17, 2020

PHONY FUNERAL NOTIFICATION

Scammers have reached a new low. They are sending bogus emails with the subject line “funeral notification.”

The message appears to be from a legitimate funeral home, offers condolences, and invites you to click on a link for more information about the upcoming “celebration of your friend’s life service.” But instead of sending you to the funeral home’s website, the link sends you to a foreign domain where the scammers can download malware to your computer.

Malware, short for “malicious software,” includes viruses and spyware that get installed on your computer without your consent. These programs can cause your device to crash and can be used to monitor and control your online activity. Criminals use malware to steal personal information, send spam, and commit fraud.

If you receive an email about a friend or loved one having passed away, the Federal Trade Commission, the nation’s consumer protection agency, says hit Delete. Do not click on the link. You may then want to contact the funeral home or family directly to verify or discredit the information.

Tips to reduce your risk of downloading unwanted malware and spyware:

*Keep your security software updated.

*Don’t click on any links or open any attachment in emails unless you know who sent it and what it is.

*Download and install software only from websites you know and trust.

*Make sure your browser security setting is high enough to detect unauthorized downloads.

*Use a pop-up blocker and do not click on any links within pop-ups.

*Resist buying software in response to unexpected pop-up messages or emails, especially ads that claim to have scanned your computer and detected malware. That is a trick crooks use to spread malware.

*Back up your data regularly.

ATTRIBUTION: US Federal Trade Commission, http://www.ftc.gov.