In the quiet moments of grief, when families are most vulnerable, there’s a nefarious element that lurks in the shadows, preying on sorrow and loss. It’s a reality that Mark Bull, the owner of Bull Family Funerals, knows all too well. As he navigates the delicate task of arranging funerals, he’s also waging a relentless battle against a growing faction of heartless scammers targeting grieving families.
Mark spends countless hours each week on a mission to protect the bereaved. He meticulously blocks, deletes, and reports the scam artists that infest Facebook, exploiting Australians in their time of mourning. These cybercriminals are cunning, creating fake profiles and groups to mimic funeral livestreams. They lure in unsuspecting mourners with fraudulent links that demand credit card information under the guise of granting access to a virtual service.
The scam is as simple as it is cruel. ‘I’ve had a lot of people ring me and say, ‘Oh, we tried to watch Joe Bloggs’ funeral yesterday. We didn’t know if we should put our key card in,’ Mark said. His frustration with social media is palpable, yet he recognises its prevalence among the elderly, making it a necessary evil to confront.
The rise of this scam became particularly noticeable during the COVID-19 pandemic when online funerals became a norm. Now, almost every funeral notice Mark shares on the Bull Family Funerals Facebook page is shadowed by a fake livestream link. The aftermath is heart-wrenching, with families having to warn friends and relatives not to fall prey to these scams.
To counter this, Mark has begun offering families the option to have the service recorded and placed on a USB for private distribution. ‘Something really needs to be done to stop these scammers,’ he insists, though he’s caught in a bind, unable to block the scammers without eliminating the very livestreams and social media notices that provide comfort to those who cannot attend in person.
The problem is not isolated to Australia; it’s a worldwide epidemic. While many funeralgoers are savvy enough to spot the scam, Mark worries about those who don’t catch on until it’s too late. Adding insult to injury, some scammers have escalated their tactics by setting up fraudulent fundraising pages featuring photos of the deceased to solicit money.
The Australian government’s National Anti-Scam Centre has taken note of the spike in these scams, particularly in December 2023. They work tirelessly to disrupt these operations, escalating reports to social media platforms for action. Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has stated its commitment to removing such content for violating community standards and encourages users to report any suspicious activity.
Scamwatch and the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) provide valuable resources on recent scam activities and the types of schemes to watch out for. If you encounter a scam, report it through the ReportCyber website and follow the prompts.
Should you or someone you know fall victim to a scam and lose money, it’s crucial to act swiftly. Contact your bank or financial institution immediately, and change your passwords without delay. For more information and resources, visit Cyber.gov.au.
Have you ever come across similar scams? What steps do you take to stay safe online? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below—your insights could help others avoid falling victim.
Also read: Prayer or ploy? How a $150,000 jewellery scam unfolded in Sydney
