The funeral of Green MP Fa'anānā Efeso Collins has highlighted fake livestream links being used to scam money from grieving people.
Last week, Tipene Funerals warned mourners about the cruel hoaxes, where scammers asked people to donate money to the family through a fake link. One church minister was among those ripped off.
It’s not just high-profile funerals being targeted by scammers, but also those for everyday Kiwis.
Funeral Directors Association chief executive — and a former financial regulator looking into scams — Gillian Boyes told Breakfast she wasn’t surprised those affected by a loss were being exploited.
“I’m not surprised at all. I mean, scammers will always look for an opening,” she said.
“Scammers are always looking for people who are in some state of vulnerability.
“They say things like say hey its ‘urgent’ or ‘to show your love and compassion for someone you should be doing it this way’.
“Of course, you’re not really thinking straight when you’re grieving. There’s evidence your brain is not quite as switched on as it normally is – so you’re much more likely to be taken in.”
She said scammers were creating copycat Facebook accounts, posing as funeral homes, and messaging friends of the family.
Don't be deceived — here's how
Boyes said the scams were predatory but they were relatively “easy” to avoid.
She said funeral livestreams were paid for by the family and organised by the home – meaning friends and family would never be asked for “donations”.
“You’ll never be asked for money, as the friends and family, for the livestream if you’re working with a reputable funeral home,” she said.
Boyes said when any link asked for credit card or personal information, “then it’s a scam”.
If you’re unsure, Boyes said, contact the family or the funeral home to check whether it was legitimate.
“You just have to take that little pause before you act,” she said.
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