Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger is reminding the public to be vigilant in the selection of perpetual care and memorialization services.  In January, a Georgia constituent reported a distressing scam to the Secretary of State’s office, where the complainant’s mother was deceived by an imposter posing as a representative of the Veteran’s Affairs cemetery where her late husband was to be buried.

The scam artist contacted the grieving widow, falsely claiming a requirement of purchasing an insurance policy to cover her while the burial took place. When she hesitated, the scammer applied high-pressure sales tactics, insisting that payment was required immediately to avoid rescheduling or cancelling the service.

Initially, the mother attempted to send payment via Zelle, but the transaction was flagged and rejected due to fraud detection. The scammer then directed her to send $1,200 via PayPal, which she unfortunately did.

Upon learning of this fraudulent activity, the complainant contacted the Office of Secretary Raffensperger.  An investigation was immediately conducted, and the cemetery and a local funeral home were promptly notified. The funeral home confirmed that such scams are alarmingly common.

This incident occurred before the complainant’s father had even been laid to rest, highlighting the vulnerability of grieving families to financial predators. The matter has been escalated to multiple law enforcement authorities for further investigation.

Secretary Raffensperger would like to remind the public of common signs of fraud, including:

1. Bogus fees and upselling of services that should be free, such as burial in a VA national cemetery, which includes a gravesite, perpetual care, a government-provided headstone, and more at no cost to eligible families.

2. Pressure tactics demanding immediate payment for unfamiliar services.

3. False claims of unpaid debts on behalf of the deceased without verifiable proof.

4. Unsolicited offers of help from unverified sources claiming to advocate for your loved one’s memorial benefits.

Tips to avoid falling victim to these scams include:

1. Research funeral homes and check for disciplinary actions before committing to services.

2. Engage with funeral home/cemetery representatives directly to confirm plans, benefits and avoid unnecessary charges.

    

3. Ensure family members are informed of end-of-life decisions and document them properly.

    

4. Never sign blank documents or agreements without reviewing charges and fees in full.

Fraudulent activity such as this is common. Scam artists do not hesitate to exploit families during their most vulnerable moments. Awareness and vigilance are key to preventing further victimization. If you or someone you know has been targeted by a memorialization scam, report it to the Secretary of State’s Cemeteries Division at [email protected].