It has come to our attention that, regrettably, certain bad actors are using the vulnerable time following a loved one’s passing to target grieving families. They are calling demanding payment, threatening to postpone or cancel services already set, and are sometimes even using the names of the staff listed on our website to appear as though their call is legitimate.
While Hill & Wood will at times call to discuss a funeral account, we will never demand payment over the phone. Payments can be made through our website, through a payment link which we can email to you upon request, or in person at the funeral home. If, and only if, you request it, will we accept payment by phone.
If you receive a call from someone claiming to be employed with our funeral home demanding immediate payment for charges you had not previously agreed to, it is likely a scam, especially if they pressure you to act quickly or pay with gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. Do not provide any personal or financial information. Hang up immediately and call 434-296-6148 and ask to speak to the Funeral Director or Funeral Director's Assistant you met during your arrangement conference directly.
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Urgency and pressure:Scammers want to rush you into paying or providing information.
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Unusual payment methods:They will insist on payment via gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or by demanding your credit card information over the phone.
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Caller ID spoofing:Scammers can make it appear as though they are calling from the funeral home's legitimate phone number.
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Information demands:They will ask for personal information or credit card details, which a legitimate business typically would not do over the phone for billing.
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Do not engage:Hang up the phone immediately.
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Verify independently:Find the legitimate phone number for the funeral home through an independent source, such as their official website or a document you received from them.
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Contact the funeral home directly:Call and speak to your funeral director to confirm the legitimacy of any charges or requests.
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Do not use the scammer's information:Do not use any phone numbers, email addresses, or website links provided by the caller.
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Report the scam:File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
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Report online fraud:If the scam involves online communication, also report it to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov.