PanicStation.org
UK USA
uk Death, bereavement & serious family crises release fee scam • suspicious death fees • funeral fee demand • bereavement scam call • bereavement scam email • funeral livestream paywall • fake donation link • estate payment release fee • inheritance release fee • advance fee fraud bereavement • scam after a death • unexpected fee after death • urgent payment request funeral • bank transfer scam demand • someone wants fees to release funds • “release fees” message • funeral notice scam • impersonation after death • grieving targeted by scammers

What to do if…
you receive a demand for “release fees” related to a death and it feels suspicious

Short answer

Do not pay or share any details. Pause, then verify the request using contact details you find independently (not the ones in the message), and report it as suspected fraud.

Do not do these things

  • Do not send money “just to get it over with”, even if they say it’s urgent or “time-limited”.
  • Do not click links, scan QR codes, or open attachments from the message.
  • Do not call back the number in the message or keep chatting to “clear it up”.
  • Do not share bank details, card details, copies of ID, National Insurance number, or the deceased person’s details beyond what a verified professional asks for.
  • Do not pay via unusual methods (bank transfer to a personal account, crypto, gift cards, money transfer apps, or “admin fees” to unlock something).
  • Do not let them rush you into secrecy (“don’t tell anyone”, “keep this private”).

What to do now

  1. Stop and label it as “unverified”. Put the message aside for 10 minutes. If you’re shaking, do one small reset: feet on the floor, slow exhale, then continue.
  2. Capture evidence without interacting. Screenshot the message, note the date/time, and keep the email/text/voicemail. If it’s a website link, copy it into a notes app (don’t open it).
  3. Verify through a trusted route (not their route).
    • If it claims to be from a funeral director, contact the funeral director using the number on their official website, paperwork you already have, or a trusted professional directory (not a link from the message).
    • If it mentions a coroner, hospital mortuary, or “release of the body”, phone the coroner’s office / hospital bereavement office using contact details you find independently (e.g., the NHS hospital website or your local council website).
    • If it claims to be about an estate, inheritance, insurance, or “funds being held”, contact the executor/solicitor you already know (or the firm’s main switchboard found independently). Treat any “pay a fee to release money” demand as a major red flag.
  4. If any money or details were already shared, act fast with your bank.
    • Call your bank using the number on your bank card or official app/website and ask for the fraud team.
    • If you made a bank transfer, ask whether the payment can be stopped or recalled and what protective steps they recommend for your account.
    • If you gave card details, ask about cancelling the card and disputing the payment.
  5. Report it as fraud (even if you didn’t pay).
    • If you’re in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland, report via Report Fraud (online, or by phone on 0300 123 2040).
    • If you’re in Scotland, report to Police Scotland (typically via 101 for non-emergency).
    • If you feel threatened, harassed, or someone is attempting to coerce payment right now, call 999.
  6. Do two quick “damage-limiting” reports (optional but helpful).
    • If it was a scam text, forward it to 7726 (goes to your phone provider).
    • If it was a scam email, forward it to report@phishing.gov.uk.
  7. Tell one other person involved in the bereavement. A simple message like: “I got a suspicious ‘release fee’ demand related to the death. Please don’t pay or click anything — we’re verifying directly with the funeral director/coroner.”

What can wait

  • You do not need to decide today whether to pursue the scammer, confront them, or “teach them a lesson”.
  • You do not need to figure out exactly how they got the information right now.
  • You do not need to post publicly about it while you’re still shaken (do that later if you choose).
  • You do not need to handle it alone — you can hand the practical calls to someone you trust.
  • You do not need to resolve a dispute with your bank today; first, make sure your account is protected and the incident is logged.

Important reassurance

This kind of fraud often targets people during bereavement because urgency and grief make anyone easier to pressure. Feeling unsure, angry, or embarrassed is a normal reaction — the safest move is to slow everything down and verify using a route you control.

Scope note

These are first steps to prevent loss and stabilise the situation. If money has gone, or if the scammer has personal data, you may need additional help from your bank and the relevant reporting bodies.

Important note

This is general information, not legal or financial advice. Processes can vary by UK nation and local area. If you’re unsure, default to not paying, verifying independently, and using official reporting plus your bank’s fraud team. If you disagree with how your bank or payment firm handled a scam payment, you can use their complaints process and may be able to escalate to the Financial Ombudsman Service.

Additional Resources
Support us