Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger is issuing a public service announcement urging vigilance when selecting perpetual care and memorialization services following a recent scam that preyed on a grieving widow. The incident, reported in January, involved a Georgia resident whose mother was targeted by a scammer impersonating a representative from the Veteran’s Affairs (VA) cemetery where her late husband was to be buried.

The fraudulent individual claimed the widow needed to purchase an insurance policy to cover her during the burial service. When she hesitated, the scammer aggressively pressured her to make an immediate payment, threatening cancellation or rescheduling of the burial if she failed to comply. The victim initially attempted to transfer funds via Zelle, but the transaction was flagged and rejected due to fraud detection mechanisms. The scammer then directed her to use PayPal, where she ultimately sent $1,200. “These scams are particularly despicable because they target individuals during a time of immense grief and vulnerability,” stated Secretary Raffensperger in a released statement. “It is crucial that families take the time to verify the legitimacy of any requests for payment related to funeral or cemetery services.”

Following the discovery of the fraud, the victim’s family contacted Secretary Raffensperger’s office, who in turn alerted the cemetery and a local funeral home. The funeral home confirmed that similar scams are becoming increasingly prevalent. The case has been referred to law enforcement for further investigation.

The Secretary of State’s office encourages anyone experiencing similar situations to contact their office and local law enforcement immediately. They also advise individuals to verify all information with the VA cemetery directly and to be wary of unsolicited requests for payment, especially those involving pressure tactics or unusual payment methods.