Multiple Faces Detected
February 21st, 2022
If you’ve got a message claiming that a distant relative has died and left you money, you should proceed with caution. You might want to engage with this person because they could be telling the truth, but there is a possibility that this is a scam. This article will tell you exactly how to know if the story you’re being told is true, so let’s get into it, shall we?
What is an Inheritance Scam?
Inheritance scams start with an unknown person or institution contacting you to tell you that an unknown family member has died. The person reaching out is typically a “lawyer” or some type of “attorney”. You’ll receive an email, maybe even a letter, telling you a distant relative you’ve never met has left you an inheritance. The story will go on about how the law firm of the deceased has been searching for a person to collect this massive inheritance.
Even if you’ve never heard of the person, these scammers work hard to make the situation believable. The emails will look like they come from a legitimate law firm that you can actually find online. The scammers will even use the firm’s logos, fonts, and similar contact information.
What’s worse is that probate attorneys do need to reach out to people on occasion if someone dies without an extensive will. But there’s a big difference between the letter they send out and one you might get from a scammer.
Here’s how you can tell if someone’s scamming you online.
How Scammers Steal Your Data
Using your information is another way scammers make their emails look real. They’ll send a formal-looking email with details like your name, phone number, and home address included. Victims can think the letters are real when the scammers have all this data.
But the truth is scammers can buy that information from various sources. It may even be listed for free somewhere. Even if they have to pay a big sum for a list, if it has thousands of names on it, even one or two leads could pay for the entire thing.
How Scammers Earn a Living
The first clue to look for in a scam like this is a fee. When someone reaches out to you saying you’ve inherited money but asks for an administrative or holding fee, that’s a scam. The cost is typically reasonable, like $20 to $50. When you are collecting potentially millions, that doesn’t seem like much at all.
Part of you might even think it’s worth it to send the money and see what happens, but the cost at the end of the scam won’t be so reasonable. That administrative fee gives the scammers access to your banking information.
When a victim sends the money, scammers will say they’ll be wiring the inheritance in the next few days. Using their link allows the scammers to steal your data and access it whenever they want. They can steal your identity, empty your bank account, and even gain your credit card information.
Things to Look Out for in a Fake Inheritance Document
Inheritance scams offer several subtle clues that you can keep an eye out for. If you see any of the following in a letter or email, it’s likely a scam:
- Spelling mistakes: Several typos, grammatical errors, and spelling mistakes often run throughout a scam letter. It can even be an issue in the logo or business name.
- Domain name: Fake emails come from addresses that contain @yahoo.com or @gmail.com. They can also be misspellings of a real domain name such as @PaYpa1.com. On many devices, a one in place of an L can fool many people.
- Document sharing: Account statements and credentials might seem like a good thing to see, but a bank official or lawyer would never share this sensitive information online or with a stranger.
- Inheritance size: An inheritance letter from a lawyer won’t go into sensitive details about what was left to you and will often ask that you come to speak to someone in person. A fake letter will talk about millions of dollars waiting for you.
- Fake addresses: Often, scammers use a fake address as the location of the inheritance lawyer or bank. If you search for these addresses, they’ll likely come up as a random warehouse or shipping center.
- Requested information: Asking for your personal information through an email is never a good sign. Scammers will often ask for bank details, personal data, etc. They might even request a bank transfer out of the country or the above-mentioned administrative fee.
Erroneous Scam Letters
If you’ve seen the above issues in a letter and immediately thought, “Who would fall for this? It’s riddled with spelling errors.” You’re not alone. These errors are actually intentional so that the scammer can weed out observant people and focus on those who are more susceptible to their scam. The first letter gets rid of all but the most clueless people. Once they’ve narrowed down their list, they can start the real work.
What to Do if You Get a Scam Letter
Never respond to an inheritance scam letter. It gives the scammer access to your computer and IP address, which allows them to steal private data. If you shop or bill pay online, that information is linked to your IP address, so you never want to reply. You’ll also want to avoid clicking on any links inside the email. Don’t even go there out of curiosity. These links act the same way as a reply.
Suppose you’re asking how do you prove inheritance theft. In that case, you can report suspicious emails to the Federal Trade Commission or the Internet Crime Complaint Center. You can also contact the law firm and tell them a scammer is using their name, logo, and address. You can screenshot or download a file version to show to authorities. It might be difficult for them to track down the person responsible. Still, authorities will add the email to a list.
Inheritance Scam Facts
Scammers will always ask for another fee or another tax before sending you the “millions of dollars” in question. They’ll do it until you stop, in which case they’ll use your banking information to drain your account, or you run out of money.
Typically, lawyers cannot advance money to you if the probate isn’t in an American Court. Protect yourself from inheritance scams by following the above recommendations. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.
