Public warned about new scam targeting family and friends mourning loved ones

Scammers are targeting funeral live streams, in a callous attempt to swindle vulnerable mourners.

Scammers have reached a “reprehensible” new low, callously targeting mourners viewing funerals live streamed online.

The national anti-scam centre has received reports of attempts around the country – and the funeral of a Riverland man was targeted this week.

The tactic was also used to target the funeral of federal Labor MP Peta Murphy late last year, and was labelled “abhorrent” by assistant treasurer Stephen Jones.

Mourners are sent a Facebook friend request from an account featuring the official funeral notice, shared originally by a legitimate account.

However, the link on the scam version requests credit card details.

In some cases, users are asked to create an account by providing other personal information.

Bevan Francis Thackeray’s funeral was held on Friday. Picture: 9News

Sam Morena reported a funeral scam. Picture: 9News

A spokeswoman for the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said it had received reports of scams targeting live streamed funerals, and also live sporting events.

Several loved ones of Loxton man Bevan Francis Thackeray, whose funeral was held on Friday, were targeted, including family friend Sam Morena.

Mr Morena said he received multiple friend requests from different Facebook profiles on the day of Mr Thackeray’s funeral services.

“Disgusting, yeah disgusting behaviour,” Mr Morena told 9News.

“What sort of person wants to hurt a family any more. Like get a life, it’s sick, it’s not right at all.

“There was one I received. I reported it immediately and deleted it, and I also received another two within 10 minutes after that.”

Australian Funeral Directors Association chief executive officer Dale Gilson. Picture: 9News

An example of the funeral livestream scam. Picture: Facebook

Consumer and Business Affairs Minister Andrea Michaels urged South Australians to “be vigilant” and report suspicious activity to Scam Watch.

“Targeting people when they are at their most vulnerable after losing a loved one is reprehensible and my heart goes out to anyone who has been impacted by this scam,” she said.

Australian Funeral Directors Association chief executive officer Dale Gilson said targeting grieving families was “the lowest you can get.”

“One of the toughest times of their lives, and then to have unscrupulous people out there attempt to request personal information or work towards funding their unscrupulous lifestyle,” Mr Gilson told 9News.

“People are becoming more aware of it, we’re hearing of cases all across Australia, so it’s important for everyone to be really vigilant.”

The ACCC spokeswoman said some scam streaming sites ask users to “subscribe with your credit card but don’t deliver the content and/or fail to cancel your subscription when asked”.

She urged anyone targeted to report scam activity to scamwatch.gov.au and to the online platform where it occurred, such as Facebook.

To safely watch live streamed funerals mourners should contact the funeral home directly for details, she said.

“Do some research on the organisation or person you are dealing with before giving anyone your money or personal information,” she said.

Originally published as Public warned about new scam targeting family and friends mourning loved ones