Technology
How imposters are trying to exploit your grief and wallet in a new funeral scam
Just when you thought you’d seen the worst of humanity, scammers have managed to reach a new low.
You thought the Facebook scam about how scammers are commandeering people’s Facebook profiles with fake bereavement posts was terrible? It gets worse.
A woman grieving and hugging a man (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson )
How the new bereavement scam works
While the Facebook post scam ran with fake bereavement posts to glean information about supportive friends, families and even strangers, this new scam targets actual surviving family members of those recently deceased. The scammers reach out to families pretending to be from funeral homes and demand more payment or threaten the cancellation of the funeral.
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It is easy to see how distraught loved ones might fall for such scams as they are already under immense stress from losing a loved one. While the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has alerted those in the funeral industry, below are some key steps you can take to prevent you or anyone you care about from falling for this horrendous scam.
1. Pause before taking action
As with most scams, these charlatans are banking on the fact that any urgency they present you with will prevent you from thinking first. They are hoping that catching you in a vulnerable state and giving you an ultimatum will result in action taken before the victim or their family can think it through.
This scam is especially insidious because who would think of preying on family members of someone who is recently deceased? Forewarned is forearmed. So, hopefully, knowing this scam has been committed will give you pause if you should run into such a situation.
Man on the phone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
2. Directly contact the funeral home
Anyone can change the name of their outgoing number (the phone number you are getting a call from) so it may even say in the caller ID that it is from the funeral home you have employed.
If you are uncertain, tell them you will call them right back and hang up the phone. Find the number on the estimate or invoice you received directly from the funeral home and call to verify what is going on. The funeral home’s contact information can be found on the general price list the funeral home provided.
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3. Type of payment red flag
Scammers don’t make the urgent payment needed easy to give. They have a tendency to request odd things like a wire transfer, gift cards, cryptocurrency or even a check payback, where they send you a check claiming there was a clerical or mechanical error with their bank, have you deposit the check then have you send it back.
This is all to stop the money from being traced back to them or prevent you from recovering your money. The funeral home should have gone over the types of payments accepted when the general price list was provided. If there is a strong deviation from the most common forms of payment, hang up.
A person with a bitcoin (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson )
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4. No surprises with funerals
While life is full of surprises, funeral homes should not be. They are regulated by the FTC to provide explicit pricing and information to consumers. A full explanation of the FTC’s oversight in this arena can be found under the “funeral rule.”
As mentioned in No. 2 of this list, each funeral provider is required to provide a general price list, which should disclose fees for any services involved in a funeral and pricing for most aspects of the funeral. If a scammer calls claiming new fees for services or items, remember that all those factors would have been provided to you with the general price list and agreed upon when hiring the funeral home.
Friends and family members at a funeral (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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5. Report scammer to the FTC
While it may seem worthwhile to give the scammer a tongue-lashing, it is not worth your time, energy and further violation of privacy. You do not know what information these scammers are gathering during the conversation, and it is best to hang up as soon as possible and report it to the FTC here.
6. Use an identity theft protection service
Consider using an identity theft protection service to shield yourself from potential scams, especially those related to funeral fraud. This is more for you than the deceased’s personal and financial information.
Identity theft companies can monitor personal information like your Social Security Number, phone number and email address and alert you if it is being sold on the dark web or being used to open an account. They can also assist you in freezing your bank and credit card accounts to prevent further unauthorized use by criminals. See my tips and best picks on how to protect yourself from identity theft.
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Navigating the aftermath: Protecting your loved one’s legacy
Consider these essential precautions to safeguard your family’s privacy and financial well-being from scammers after a loved one has died.
Craft obituaries mindfully: When writing an obituary, omit sensitive details that could be exploited for identity theft. Avoid including the deceased’s date and place of birth, middle name, maiden name, mother’s maiden name and home address. Additionally, refrain from mentioning the date and time of the funeral to prevent potential burglaries during the service.
Promptly report to Social Security: If a loved one has died, immediately notify the Social Security Administration by calling 800-772-1213. This step ensures benefits are appropriately handled.
Inform the IRS: Send a copy of the death certificate to the IRS. This allows officials to flag the deceased’s tax account, preventing any fraudulent activity.
Notify financial institutions: Reach out to banks and other financial institutions where the late loved one had accounts. If you decide to close these accounts, request that they be marked as “Closed: Account holder is deceased.”
Alert credit bureaus: Contact the major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion — to have them place a death notice in the deceased’s credit file. This step helps prevent unauthorized credit applications.
Monitor credit reports: Obtain a copy of the deceased’s credit report shortly after death and again a few months later. Regular checks can help detect any fraudulent activity.
Dealing with debts: Don’t let debt collectors intimidate you into paying financial obligations for a late spouse, parent or sibling. Generally, the estate is responsible for debts, not the survivors. However, there are exceptions for cosigned loans and jointly held financial accounts. For specific guidance, consult the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Exercise caution with contacts: Be cautious if you receive communication from “long-lost” relatives or friends of the deceased, especially on social media. Verify their identity by asking family and old friends if they recognize the person.
Kurt’s key takeaways
Scammers have a knack for finding new ways to prey on the vulnerable. While fending off scammers is the last thing on one’s mind while grieving the loss of a loved one, it is important to stay informed and empowered so that your time and energy are spent on what really matters — remembering our lost loved ones.
What do you think should be done to stop these heartless scammers from exploiting people’s grief? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact
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Microsoft’s Office 2019 apps for Mac will stop working next month, because the company isn’t renewing a certificate that validates Office licenses. Owners of Office 2019 for Mac are being warned they’ll have to purchase Office 2024 or a Microsoft 365 subscription if they want to continue editing documents.
Microsoft previously promised that “all your Office 2019 apps will continue to function,” when it announced end of support in 2023. The company then quietly updated that support note last month to remove the mention of apps continuing to function, replacing it with “Rest assured that all your Office 2019 apps won’t lose any data.”
Starting on July 13th, Office 2019 for Mac and Office 2021 for Mac will both run in “reduced functionality mode,” allowing people to open files but not edit, save, or create new documents. The reduced functionality will impact Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote.
While Microsoft is providing a certificate update for Office 2021 as it’s still supported until October 13th, 2026, the company is leaving Office 2019 for Mac users out in the cold as support for these apps ended a few years ago. “Office 2019 for Mac reached end of support on October 10, 2023, and no longer receives updates,” says Microsoft. “Because Office 2019 cannot be updated to the required version, this issue cannot be resolved by updating or reinstalling Office 2019 for Mac.”
JimmyTech points out that old versions of Microsoft 365 apps on Mac and iOS will also be affected by this certificate issue, but a simple update will fix it for those users.
Microsoft regularly ends support of software and there’s always the risk you could run into issues running older apps or versions of Windows. It’s still surprising to not see Microsoft make an exception here though, particularly because this certificate issue breaks the main functionality of an app you’ve paid a one-time license fee for.
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You know that little moment when your phone rings and the name on the screen makes you drop everything?
Maybe it says your spouse, your daughter, your boss or your best friend. You answer because you trust the name. Then the voice sounds familiar too.
That is exactly what makes the latest phone scams so dangerous.
Android’s fake call detection can warn you when a caller may be pretending to be someone saved in your contacts. (Silas Stein/Picture Alliance)
Scammers no longer have to call from a strange number. They can spoof a trusted contact’s phone number. Then they can use AI voice tools to sound like someone you know. Android is now rolling out a new feature called fake call detection to help warn you when that familiar call may be a fake.
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What is Android fake call detection?
Android fake call detection is a new protection built into Phone by Google. It is designed to spot suspected spoofed calls when both people on the call use Phone by Google.
Think of it as your phone quietly asking, “Is this call really coming from that person’s device?” If the answer looks suspicious, your phone can show a warning and advise you to hang up. That small alert could stop a scam before fear, panic or confusion takes over.
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How Android fake call detection works
The feature works automatically in the background. You do not need to answer a quiz, scan a code or press a button during the call. When a trusted contact calls you, their phone sends a silent confirmation signal to your phone. That signal helps prove the call really came from their device.
If a scammer spoofs your contact’s number, that confirmation signal may be missing. Your phone then checks with your contact’s actual device. If the real device says it is not placing a call, your screen can warn you that the call may be fake.
The system uses end-to-end encrypted RCS technology, so the check happens privately. You can also turn the feature off in Phone by Google settings.
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Why fake calls are getting harder to spot
For years, caller ID gave people a sense of control. If the name looked familiar, most of us felt safer picking up. That old habit now works in the scammer’s favor.
Scammers can use internet-based calling tools to spoof numbers. That means your phone may display the name of someone you trust, even though the call comes from somewhere else.
Then comes the AI voice trick. With today’s audio tools, scammers can make a fake voice sound shockingly real. They may pretend to be a family member in trouble, a bank employee warning about fraud or a manager asking for urgent help.
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That combination makes the call feel personal and immediate. It also makes you more likely to act before you think.
Why Android is adding this protection now
Impersonation scams have become a major global problem. INTERPOL’s March 2026 Global Financial Fraud Threat Assessment cited impersonation fraud as one of the leading contributors to more than $400 billion in global losses.
In the U.S., impersonation scams remain one of the top fraud categories reported to the FTC. Losses reached $2.95 billion in 2024.
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Those numbers tell you why this feature deserves attention. Scammers go where the money is. Right now, they know trusted voices and trusted names can open the door.
Which Android phones get fake call detection?
Google says fake call detection is rolling out globally in Phone by Google this month, starting with Pixel devices.
The feature is available on Android 12 and newer devices with Phone by Google, Contacts and Google Messages installed. It also requires RCS capability in Google Messages.
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There is one key limitation. Both you and the person calling you must use Phone by Google for fake call detection to work.
Phone by Google already comes as the default phone app on many Android devices. If your phone uses a different calling app, you can install Phone by Google from the Play Store and set it as your default phone app.
How Android fake call detection protects you
This feature gives you an extra warning at the exact moment you need it most. That timing is important. Scam calls often rely on emotion. The caller may say someone got arrested, a loved one had an accident or a bank account faces an urgent threat.
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When the voice sounds familiar, your guard drops. A warning on your screen can interrupt that emotional rush. It gives you a reason to stop, hang up and verify the story another way.
What Android fake call detection cannot do
This new tool helps, but it cannot protect you from every scam. It may not work if the other person does not use Phone by Google. It also may not cover calls from businesses, unknown numbers or contacts using unsupported devices. So you still need basic scam rules.
If someone asks for money, gift cards, crypto, account codes or remote access to your device, hang up. Then call the person or company back using a number you already trust.
Also, never stay on the line just because the caller tells you to. That is one of the oldest pressure tactics in the scammer playbook.
A spoofed call can look familiar on your screen, even when it is really coming from a scammer. (Kurt CyberGuy Knutsson)
How to protect yourself from AI voice scams
AI voice scams work because they sound personal, urgent and believable, so your best defense is to slow the conversation down before you act.
1) Create a family safe word
Pick a simple word or phrase that only your close family knows. It should be easy to remember but hard for a scammer to guess. Then, if someone calls with an emergency and asks for money, ask for the safe word. If they cannot give it, hang up and verify the story another way.
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2) Pause when the call feels urgent
Scammers want you scared because fear makes people act fast. That is why fake emergency calls often sound intense, emotional and rushed. Take a breath before you do anything. A real loved one, bank or employer will let you verify what is happening.
3) Call back using a trusted number
If a call feels suspicious, hang up. Then call the person back using a number saved in your contacts or one you know is real. Do not use a number, link or instruction the caller gives you. That could send you right back to the scammer.
4) Never send money or codes during the call
Do not send gift cards, crypto, wire transfers or payment app transfers because a caller sounds convincing. Also, never share a one-time passcode, PIN or account login code over the phone. Once scammers get that information, they can move fast.
5) Turn on scam protections on your phone
Use the built-in protections already available on your device. Pixel and Samsung users can enable Scam Detection in the Phone by Google app to help flag suspicious calls. Also, consider using strong antivirus software that includes AI-powered scam protection to help detect scams in texts, online content and deepfake videos. Keep an eye on call warnings too. If your phone tells you something looks risky, treat that alert seriously. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com
6) Keep your phone apps updated
Update Phone by Google, Google Contacts and Google Messages when updates are available. These tools work best when your apps and phone software stay current. Updates often include security improvements, bug fixes and new scam protections.
Here’s how to check for updates on Android:
- Open the Google Play Store app.
- Tap your profile icon in the top right corner.
- Tap Manage apps & device.
- Under Updates available, tap See details.
- Look for Phone by Google, Google Contacts and Google Messages.
- Tap Update next to each app, or tap Update all.
You can also turn on automatic app updates by opening the Google Play Store app, tapping your profile icon, then going to Settings > Network preferences > Auto-update apps. From there, choose whether to update apps over Wi-Fi, over Wi-Fi or mobile data, with limited mobile data or not at all.
Kurt’s key takeaways
If a call feels urgent or suspicious, pause before you respond and verify it another way. (Tristan Spinski/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
Android’s fake call detection is a smart step in the fight against AI-powered phone scams. It recognizes something many people already know: the name on your caller ID no longer proves the person calling you is real. This feature gives Android users another layer of protection when scammers try to hijack trust. Still, the safest move remains simple. Slow down, verify the call and never let panic make the decision for you.
Should the government do more to stop scammers from using AI voices to impersonate the people you trust? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com
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Congress narrowly voted to fund President Donald Trump’s mass deportation agenda, giving the Department of Homeland Security $70 billion over the next three years.
The house voted 214 to 212 in favor of the reconciliation bill Tuesday, following the Senate’s 52-47 vote last Friday morning. The vote fell largely along party lines. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) was the only Senate Republican to vote against it. Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI), initially voted against the bill — meaning it would have failed — but changed his vote after huddling with House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) and Appropriations Chair Tom Cole (R-OK), according to The Hill. No Democrats voted in favor of the funding bill, which was done through a budget reconciliation process to avoid a Democratic filibuster.
In a speech on the House floor ahead of the Tuesday vote, Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA) criticized Republicans for using the budget reconciliation process to avoid negotiating with Democrats, and emphasized ICE’s lack of popularity with the American people.
“At its core, this Republican reconciliation budget bill is a statement about priorities, and the priorities represented in this budget bill could not be more out of step with the needs and values of the American people,” Scanlon said.
Scanlon noted that DHS has yet to spend $100 billion of the nearly $200 billion it received under Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act. She added that Trump has not only expanded ICE’s reach by increasingly going after legal immigrants but also weaponized DHS against its critics. The bill, she said, will “supercharge” Trump’s abuses.
After the House markup last Friday, Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), ranking member of the House Appropriations Committee, noted that the bill not only lacks sufficient reforms but also cuts funding for cybersecurity and TSA, whose workers went weeks without pay during the DHS shutdown.
The funding bill comes at a time of deep unpopularity for ICE. One recent poll found that just 33 percent of voters approve of how the agency is doing its job.
And it comes amid yet another threat from border czar Tom Homan to flood New York City with ICE agents. In an interview with Fox News on Monday, Homan said he would send “more ICE agents than you’ve ever seen” to New York City if the state government passed a bill limiting cooperation with DHS.
“Providing a quarter trillion dollars to an administration promising that the public ‘ain’t seen shit yet’ when it comes to mass deportation is a historic mistake,” Todd Schulte, president of the immigration reform group FWD.us, said in a statement. “Supercharging the funding for these already out of control systems will come with terrible human consequences and continue to be met with increasing opposition from voters.”
Correction, June 9th: A previous version of this story said Rep. Tim Walberg voted against the funding bill. He initially voted against it but then changed his vote to support it.
Update, June 9th: This story has been updated to include comment from FWD.us president Todd Schulte.
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