LA Probate Law: Are You at Risk for Inheritance Scams
The great fantasy everyone wants to come true: You receive an email from a lawyer, barrister or bank employee stating a long-lost relative you’ve never heard of has died. The email goes on to say that after an exhaustive search, you are the only known living heir to your long-lost relative’s fortune. Congratulations, you’re a MILLIONAIRE! But first, you need to pay the international transfer fee, a bank holding fee or cover some legal expenses and the money is yours!. All you have to do is fax your identification or a bit of personal information (social security number, bank account number and bank routing number, etc.) or simply reply to the email with your information. This is the most common opening for a con known as the unclaimed inheritance scam expresses LA Probate Law.
How Inheritance Scams Work
Another name for these “estate locators” is “research specialists”. However, they didn’t target you by completing any research says LA Probate Law. Instead you received this contact as part of a mass mailing sent all across America to people who share the same last name as yours. Each one of these folks is told there is cash from inheritances that have been located in their names. The research specialists make money by asserting they’ve put together an estate report that includes information on where the inheritances are located and how they can be claimed. For a relatively small fee, say around $30, you can receive this report. They may also propose to administer your inheritance claim for you, for another “small fee”.
Scams Require Sending Money
Note that the victim will never know the person who supposedly died, and the person is usually not even real. Once a response is made to one of these emails, the scammer will explain that the victim must first send money to them to initiate the deal. This may be described as a fee for being named the relative, clearing payment, or any other number of excuses states LA Probate Law. The stories told by the scammer can be quite elaborate and they will go to great lengths to convince you that a fortune awaits. This includes sending you a large number of seemingly legitimate legal documents to sign, such as power of attorney documents. In some cases the recipient is invited overseas to examine documents and the money. The scammer will often organize an elaborate charade, complete with a safe full of money for anyone who takes up the offer.
How to Protect Yourself
Prior to sending any money to those claiming to be an “estate locator”, double check with relatives about any recent deaths in your family. Also research the people and/or firm in question says LA Probate Law. Run their names by the Better Business Bureau, your state’s Attorney General’s Office and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Pay close attention to whether or not any investigations have or are currently being conducted against the firm, or people representing the firm, making the inheritance location offer. Remember, if an offer appears too good to be true, it probably is. Avoid disclosing personal or financial information. Don’t share personal or account information such as account numbers, check card numbers, Social Security numbers, or any other sensitive information with strangers.
LA Probate Law: Are You at Risk for Inheritance Scams
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