PanicStation.org
UK USA
us 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 • wire transfer scam demand • someone wants fees to release funds • “release fees” message • obituary 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 information. Verify the request using contact details you find independently (not the message), and report it as a scam.

Do not do these things

  • Do not send money “to unlock” anything, even if they say it’s required to release a body, documents, or funds.
  • Do not click links, scan QR codes, or open attachments from the message.
  • Do not call the number in the message or keep texting to “prove” anything.
  • Do not share your SSN, driver’s license, bank details, or copies of ID with an unverified sender.
  • Do not pay via wire transfer, crypto, gift cards, or peer-to-peer apps because you feel pressured.
  • Do not let anyone isolate you (“don’t tell the family”, “this is confidential”).

What to do now

  1. Pause and treat it as unverified. Give yourself a short reset (slow exhale, unclench jaw). The safest first move is to slow the timeline down.
  2. Save evidence without engaging. Screenshot texts, save emails/voicemails, and write down date/time and what they asked for. If there’s a link, copy it into a notes app (don’t open it).
  3. Verify through a trusted channel (not theirs).
    • If it claims to be from a funeral home, call the funeral home using the number on its official website or the paperwork you already have.
    • If it mentions release of the body or a “facility fee,” contact the county medical examiner/coroner or the hospital bereavement office using official county/hospital contact details you locate yourself.
    • If it claims to involve an estate, inheritance, insurance payout, or “funds being held,” contact the executor, probate attorney, or the institution through a verified main number. A “pay a fee to release money” demand is a classic scam pattern.
  4. If you already paid or shared details, contact the payment provider immediately.
    • Call your bank/card issuer using the number on the back of your card or the official app and ask for the fraud department.
    • If it was a wire transfer, contact the bank or wire company right away and ask whether anything can be done to stop or recover it.
    • If it was a card payment, ask about disputing/chargeback and replacing the card.
  5. If you shared SSN or ID details, start identity-recovery steps.
    • Go to IdentityTheft.gov and follow the steps for “information lost or exposed.”
    • Consider placing a fraud alert or credit freeze with the three major credit bureaus, especially if SSN or driver’s license details were shared.
  6. Report it (even if you didn’t lose money).
    • Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
    • File an online crime complaint with the FBI at IC3.gov.
    • Tip: type the address yourself or use official bookmarks — scammers sometimes create look-alike “reporting portals.”
  7. If you’re being threatened or pressured in real time, get help.
    • Call 911 only for immediate danger.
    • Otherwise use your local police non-emergency line.

What can wait

  • You do not need to figure out “who did it” or respond with a perfect message right now.
  • You do not need to post publicly or confront the scammer today.
  • You do not need to make probate/estate decisions in this moment — first, stop any potential loss and verify the facts.
  • You do not need to handle all calls yourself; it’s okay to delegate.

Important reassurance

Scammers often exploit grief and time pressure because it makes anyone more vulnerable to urgency and confusion. Feeling overwhelmed or unsure is normal — slowing down and verifying independently is exactly the right response.

Scope note

These are immediate first steps to prevent harm and buy time. If money was sent or identity information was shared, you may need follow-up steps with your bank and the official identity-recovery and reporting channels.

Important note

This is general information, not legal or financial advice. Practices vary by state and local office. If anything feels unclear, default to not paying, verifying via independently found official contact details, and using your bank’s fraud team plus official reporting channels.

Additional Resources
Support us