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uk Death, bereavement & serious family crises death notification scam • fake bereavement message • mistaken identity death notice • unexpected death call • death certificate confusion • funeral director impersonation • registrar verification • tell us once confusion • suspicious bereavement email • bereavement phishing • scam text about a death • scam phone call about a death • being asked for money after death • urgent payment request after death • unknown relative death claim • wrong person declared dead • identity mix up death record • shock after death message • verifying if someone died

What to do if…
you suspect a death notification you received might be a scam or mistaken identity

Short answer

Pause and don’t give any details or money. Verify the claim using contact routes you choose and already trust — not the number, email, or link that contacted you.

Do not do these things

  • Don’t send money, bank details, one-time passcodes, copies of ID, or your address “to confirm who you are”.
  • Don’t call back on the number in the message or click links/QR codes to “view documents” or “open a case file”.
  • Don’t post about it on social media to “find out if it’s true” (it can spread the scam and expose private details).
  • Don’t forward the message widely in panic — if you warn others, label it clearly as unverified.
  • Don’t assume it’s genuine just because the caller knows your name or some personal details.

What to do now

  1. Stop the conversation cleanly. Say: “I can’t discuss this. I will verify independently.” Then hang up / stop replying.
  2. Write down what you received (while you still can). Note the date/time, phone number/email, exact wording, any “reference number”, and what they asked for. Screenshot texts/emails.
  3. Verify using trusted routes you find yourself (pick what fits):
    • If they claim to be police, a hospital, a coroner, a council, or a registrar: find the organisation’s main number yourself (official website or trusted directory) and ask to be put through to the relevant team. Share only the minimum details needed to check whether the contact was genuine.
    • If they named a funeral director: find the funeral director’s public switchboard number yourself and ask if they are dealing with that person (they may limit what they can confirm — that’s fine).
    • If the person is known to you: contact a close relative/friend of the person using your existing contact list (not a number supplied in the message) and ask if they can confirm what’s going on.
  4. If they mention death registration or “Tell Us Once”: treat that as a red flag until verified. In real cases, “Tell Us Once” is used after a death is registered and you’re given a reference. Do not share details with a caller/text; verify via official registrar/council contact details you find yourself.
  5. If you’ve been asked for money (funeral costs, “release fees”, travel, inheritance processing): treat it as a scam until proven otherwise. Say you will only deal with anything in writing after you’ve independently verified who they are.
  6. Report the message (choose the right route):
    • Suspicious text: forward the text to 7726 (free on most UK networks).
    • Suspicious email: forward it to report@phishing.gov.uk.
    • Suspicious website/link: report it using the official GOV.UK/NCSC phishing reporting guidance.
    • If you lost money or shared financial details: report fraud to Action Fraud (England, Wales, Northern Ireland). If you’re in Scotland, report to Police Scotland (101 if it’s not an emergency).
  7. Do a quick personal safety check (10 minutes):
    • If you shared bank details/authorised a payment: contact your bank immediately using the number on your card/app.
    • If you shared copies of ID or personal data: assume they may try follow-up impersonation. Be cautious about unexpected calls/messages and avoid sharing anything else until you’ve verified who you’re dealing with.

What can wait

  • You do not need to decide right now whether to “report” versus “just block” — first, stop contact, verify the facts, and secure accounts.
  • You do not need to contact every organisation “just in case” until you have confirmation it’s real.
  • You do not need to respond to threats about “delays”, “legal consequences”, or “extra fees” — urgency is a common scam tactic.

Important reassurance

A death notice can make it hard to think clearly. Feeling shocked, numb, tearful, or unable to judge what’s real is a normal reaction. Slowing everything down and verifying through channels you control is the safest first move.

Scope note

These are first steps to reduce harm and confirm what’s real. If it turns out to be genuine, the next stage (bereavement support and practical arrangements) can be handled once you’re steadier.

Important note

This is general information, not legal, financial, or medical advice. Scams and official processes vary across the UK and over time; when unsure, default to not sharing personal information and verifying via independently found official contact details.

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