Attorney General Jay Jones has issued a warning to Virginians about scams targeting families who have recently lost loved ones. This alert comes during National Consumer Protection Week and highlights fraudulent activities where individuals impersonate funeral home staff to solicit immediate or additional payments.
“It’s hard to imagine anything worse than preying on a person who has just lost a beloved family member or loved one,” said Attorney General Jones. “Unfortunately, there are scam artists actively posing as funeral home staff and illegally demanding immediate or additional payments from grieving family members by claiming that the funeral will be canceled or other services will not be provided unless these payments are made immediately. I urge Virginians to learn more about these scams and their rights if they become victims of these scams.”
According to Jones, scammers often gather details from published obituaries, using information about the deceased, their relatives, and the involved funeral homes. They then contact family members while pretending to represent the funeral service provider.
The Attorney General’s office provides consumer protection resources, including guidance on identity theft and fraud reporting, which can help residents recognize and avoid such schemes. More information about available resources is accessible through the official website.
The Office of the Attorney General also supports civil rights enforcement, victim assistance programs, legal counsel for state agencies, public safety initiatives, and advocacy against human trafficking and domestic violence throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. Details about these efforts can be found on the official website.
Residents with questions or concerns regarding consumer matters are encouraged to reach out to Attorney General Jones’ Consumer Protection Section for support.
