welt.de
Fraudsters Exploit Death Notices for Scams
Fraudsters exploit death notices to obtain personal information for scams like shock calls and fake invoices, targeting bereaved families and utilizing details such as addresses and family relationships found in obituaries.
- What specific tactics do fraudsters use to exploit information from death notices?
- Fraudsters use information from death notices to conduct shock calls, pretending a relative is in an accident needing bail money. They also create fake invoices for deceased individuals or use the deceased's identity to purchase goods and services.
- How do death notice details facilitate these fraudulent activities, and what broader implications arise?
- Death notices often reveal the deceased's address, family members' names, and dates of funeral services. This information is used to perform online searches for contact details to make targeted calls and exploit the emotional vulnerability of the bereaved. The lack of centralized tracking of these crimes hinders accurate assessment of the scale of this problem.
- What preventative measures can individuals and institutions take to mitigate the risks associated with this type of fraud?
- Individuals should avoid including private addresses in death notices and instead direct condolences to funeral homes. Funeral homes should refrain from releasing personal information without family consent. Greater awareness and clear guidelines for handling online accounts of the deceased are needed to prevent further exploitation.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article presents a balanced view of the problem, highlighting the risks associated with publishing sensitive information in obituaries while also acknowledging that not all instances result in crime. The structure flows logically, starting with the general advice, then detailing specific fraud methods, and finally offering preventative measures. The headline (if one existed) would likely influence framing; however, without it, the provided text appears neutral.
Language Bias
The language used is largely neutral and objective. Terms like "Betrugsversuche" (fraud attempts) and "Schockanrufe" (shock calls) are accurate descriptions. There's no use of inflammatory or emotionally charged language.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses on the potential for fraud related to obituaries. While this is a significant concern, it omits other potential uses of obituary information, such as genealogical research or connection with long-lost relatives. Also, the statistical data on the number of successful fraud cases is missing, making it hard to assess the true scale of the problem.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article highlights various types of fraud and scams targeting individuals grieving the loss of a loved one. By raising awareness of these crimes and offering preventative measures, such as not including private addresses in death notices and using the services of funeral homes to manage condolences, the article contributes to safer communities and the strengthening of justice systems. The focus on protecting vulnerable individuals during times of grief directly relates to the SDG's goal of promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, providing access to justice for all and building effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.