What Are Digital Scammers?
Digital scammers are people who try to steal your money or personal information using computers, phones, and the internet. They might pretend to be your bank, a family member, or even the adults and families who have lost a loved one.
Why Scammers Target Families After Someone Dies
When someone in your family passes away, scammers see this as a chance to strike. Here’s why:
- Family members are sad and may not be thinking clearly
- Important papers and passwords might be scattered or unknown
- Bank accounts and property need to be handled quickly
- Scammers read obituaries to find new targets
How Estate Planning Helps Stop Scammers
Estate planning is like building a strong wall around your family’s money and property. When done right, it makes it much harder for scammers to trick your loved ones.
1. Choose Trusted People to Handle Your Affairs
Pick someone you trust to be your “Personal Representative” or “Trustee.” This person will handle your money and property when you can’t. Make sure they know how to spot scams and won’t fall for tricks.
What to do:
- Choose someone who is good with handling money
- Pick a backup person too
- Talk to them about common scams
- Make sure they know to ask questions if something seems weird or out of the ordinary
2. Set Up Clear Rules in Your Will and Trust
Your will and trust should have clear rules about how money can be spent. This makes it harder for scammers to convince your family to send money quickly.
Smart rules to include:
- Wait 24 hours before making big money decisions
- Never give money to someone who calls or emails asking for it
- Always check with a lawyer before acting on unusual requests
3. Keep Important Information Safe
Create a secure way to store passwords, account numbers, and important papers. Don’t leave these things where scammers can find them.
Best practices:
- Use a password manager or locked file
- Give copies to your trusted person
- Update information every year
- Never share passwords over email or phone
4. Teach Your Family About Scams
Make sure everyone in your family knows about common tricks scammers use. The more they know, the safer they’ll be.
Common scammer tricks to watch for:
- “Emergency” calls or text messages asking for money right away
- Fake bills or fees that must be paid immediately
- People pretending to be lawyers, doctors, or government workers
- Requests to pay with gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency
What to Include in Your Estate Plan
- A Strong Will
- Your will should name trusted people to handle your affairs and include rules about being careful with money.
- A Living Trust
- A trust can help your family avoid probate court, where scammers often look for new targets.
- Power of Attorney Documents
- These papers let someone you trust make decisions for you if you get sick. Choose someone who won’t fall for scams.
- Clear Instructions
- Leave simple, written instructions about your accounts, passwords, and wishes. This helps your family avoid confusion that scammers love to use.
5. Red Flags Your Family Should Know
Teach your loved ones to watch out for these warning signs:
- Someone asking for money urgently over the phone, email, or text messaging
- Requests to pay with gift cards, Bitcoin, or wire transfers
- People who won’t let you think about it or talk to others first
- Anyone claiming there will be big trouble if you don’t pay right away
- Requests for personal information like Social Security numbers or passwords
Steps to Take Right Now:
- Talk to your family about scams and how they work
- Meet with an estate planning lawyer to create or update your will and trust
- Choose trustworthy people to help handle your affairs
- Organize your important papers and keep them secure
- Set up two-person rules for big money decisions
- Create a family plan for what to do if someone thinks they’re being scammed
If a Scammer Targets Your Family
Even with good planning, scammers might still try to target your family. Here’s what to do:
- Stop and think – Scammers want you to act fast
- Hang up or delete suspicious calls and emails
- Call the company directly using a number you find yourself
- Ask a trusted friend what they think
- Report the scam to police and the Federal Trade Commission
The Bottom Line
Good estate planning is like a security system for your family’s future. It won’t stop every scammer, but it makes their job much harder. The key is to plan ahead, choose trustworthy people, and teach your family how to stay safe.
Remember: scammers count on confusion, fear, and quick decisions. When your estate plan is clear and your family knows what to expect, scammers lose their biggest advantages.
Founded by a nurse attorney and with offices in Acton, Andover, and Sudbury, Massachusetts, Generations Law Group helps families navigate the complex areas of estate planning and elder law to inform and protect loved ones of every generation.
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