If you've already read about the first-wave scams that hit in the days right after a death (Obituary Scammers: What to Watch for in the First Week), you know the immediate risk. What most people don't expect is that the attempts often intensify in the weeks that follow.
Here's what the full 60-day picture looks like.
The first wave — days 1 to 7:
Immediate calls posing as creditors, debt collectors, or insurance companies. These are often opportunistic — the caller saw the obituary and is fishing. They may not have any real information about the deceased. The goal is to catch you off guard before you've had time to think.
The second wave — weeks 2 to 4:
More targeted. By now, scammers may have gathered details from the obituary, social media, and public records. They'll use the deceased's employer, bank name, or hometown to sound credible. They may claim there's an outstanding balance, an unclaimed refund, or an unresolved account that needs immediate attention.
The third wave — weeks 4 to 8:
Fraudulent invoices and bills by mail. These arrive looking legitimate — complete with logos, account numbers, and payment instructions. Common targets: utilities, subscriptions, medical providers, and professional services. Always verify before paying anything that arrives unsolicited.
Your best defense:
Pay nothing in response to an inbound contact — phone, email, or mail — without independently verifying the debt. Look up the company's official contact information yourself and call them directly. Legitimate creditors will wait. Anyone who insists on immediate payment is a red flag.
Keep a log of every contact you receive. If you believe you've been targeted, report it to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Source: Federal Trade Commission, consumer.ftc.gov.