Is it a scam if a debt collector calls me after seeing my relative's obituary?

Some scammers check obituaries and other legal notices, and then contact relatives of the deceased posing as debt collectors. These scam artists can use your personal information to help them commit identity theft or other types of fraud.

In general, no one is obligated to pay off someone else’s debt after they pass, unless it’s a shared debt or required under state law. If a debt collector is contacting you about money owed by a relative, you have certain protections for how and when they can communicate with you. If they’re not able or willing to provide details about the debt, it may be a scam.

When a debt collector or scammer contacts you about someone else’s debt

If a debt collector contacts you, you have the right to learn more about the debt. This doesn’t mean, however, you’re responsible for paying it, and debt collectors are not allowed to suggest that you might be responsible if you’re not. Here are steps you can take:

• Avoid giving anyone your personal information. Never provide your Social Security number, birth date, or financial account numbers to anyone unless you know who you're dealing with.
• Get the details of the debt in writing. In most circumstances, a legitimate debt collector must give you details about the debt during your first conversation or within 5 days of when they first contacted you. They usually do this with a written validation notice. If the debt collector knows that you’re the surviving spouse, parent of a minor who died, or a personal representative but they still refuse to give you details about the debt, then you could be dealing with a scam.
• Dispute the debt if you don’t owe it. If you receive a validation notice and don’t believe you’re responsible for the debt, dispute the debt in writing within 30 days or by the deadline on the validation notice. The debt collector must stop contacting you until they validate the debt in writing.
• Know that you have rights for how debt collectors can contact you. Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), debt collectors may not harass, oppress, or abuse you or any third parties they contact. You can also tell debt collectors not to contact you at certain times or places, including by phone, email, text message, or mail. If you don’t want to hear from the debt collector again, you can also send the collector a written request to stop contacting you.
• Talk with a lawyer. If you’re not sure whether or not you’re responsible for paying a debt, a lawyer can help you figure it out. They can help you understand and protect your money and property from collectors under federal and state exemption laws.

Learn other signs of a debt collection scam