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?<\/p>\n[aesop_image img=”https:\/\/socialcatfish.com\/scamfish\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/pexels-photo-3234896.jpeg” panorama=”off” align=”center” lightbox=”on” captionsrc=”custom” captionposition=”left” revealfx=”off” overlay_revealfx=”off”]\n
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”.\u00a0 You\u2019ll 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.<\/p>\n
Even if you\u2019ve 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\u2019s logos, fonts, and similar contact information.<\/p>\n
What\u2019s worse is that probate attorneys do need to reach out to people on occasion if someone dies without an extensive will. But there\u2019s a big difference between the letter they send out and one you might get from a scammer.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s how you can tell if someone\u2019s scamming you online.<\/p>\n
Using your information is another way scammers make their emails look real. They\u2019ll 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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n The first clue to look for in a scam like this is a fee. When someone reaches out to you saying you\u2019ve inherited money but asks for an administrative or holding fee, that\u2019s a scam. The cost is typically reasonable, like $20 to $50. When you are collecting potentially millions, that doesn\u2019t seem like much at all.<\/p>\n Part of you might even think it\u2019s worth it to send the money and see what happens, but the cost at the end of the scam won\u2019t be so reasonable. That administrative fee gives the scammers access to your banking information.<\/p>\n When a victim sends the money, scammers will say they\u2019ll 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.<\/p>\n[aesop_image img=”https:\/\/socialcatfish.com\/scamfish\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/pexels-tima-miroshnichenko-9572712.jpg” panorama=”off” align=”center” lightbox=”on” captionsrc=”custom” captionposition=”left” revealfx=”off” overlay_revealfx=”off”]\n 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\u2019s likely a scam:<\/p>\n If you\u2019ve seen the above issues in a letter and immediately thought, \u201cWho would fall for this? It\u2019s riddled with spelling errors.\u201d You\u2019re 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\u2019ve narrowed down their list, they can start the real work.<\/p>\n 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\u2019ll also want to avoid clicking on any links inside the email. Don\u2019t even go there out of curiosity. These links act the same way as a reply.<\/p>\n Suppose you\u2019re 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.<\/p>\n Scammers will always ask for another fee or another tax before sending you the \u201cmillions of dollars\u201d in question. They\u2019ll do it until you stop, in which case they\u2019ll use your banking information to drain your account, or you run out of money.<\/p>\n Typically, lawyers cannot advance money to you if the probate isn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\nHow Scammers Earn a Living<\/h2>\n
Things to Look Out for in a Fake Inheritance Document<\/h2>\n
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Erroneous Scam Letters<\/h2>\n
What to Do if You Get a Scam Letter<\/h2>\n
Inheritance Scam Facts<\/h2>\n