Avoiding Scams After a Death or Crime in the Home

Most people who help families after a death are honest. But grief, shock and urgency make anyone more vulnerable, and some people take advantage of that. News of a death or crime can be public through police reports, news coverage or obituaries. This guide describes common tactics and how to protect yourself and your family.

Why families are targeted

• Decisions feel urgent, especially when there is contamination or odor.
• Families may not know what anything should cost or how the process normally works.
• Insurance money may be involved.
• The home may be empty and its owner may have died.
• Family members are often far away and coordinating by phone.

Common tactics and warning signs

Unsolicited contact

Be cautious of anyone who shows up at the door, leaves flyers, or calls you after a death or crime without you contacting them. Legitimate companies generally wait to be called. If someone says police or the medical examiner sent them, call the agency's non-emergency number to confirm. Police and medical examiners may give families a list of companies, but they generally should not be steering you to one company.

Pressure to decide now

The Federal Trade Commission warns consumers to be skeptical of discounts that require signing a contract right away. A reasonable company will give you time to review a written scope, talk to your insurer and compare quotes.

Demands for cash up front

The FTC's advice for contractors after disasters applies here too: if someone wants cash up front, walk away. Pay by credit card or check, not by wire transfer, gift card, payment app, cryptocurrency or cash. Never make final payment until work is done and you are satisfied. Some states limit how much a contractor can require as a deposit.

Blank or vague contracts

Do not sign a contract with blank spaces that can be filled in later. A written contract should include the company's name, address, phone and, where applicable, license number; what will be done; start and completion expectations; the payment schedule; and any promises made verbally.

Signing over insurance benefits

Some contractors ask you to sign an assignment of benefits, which lets them deal directly with your insurer and collect payment. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners cautions that this is a legal contract, that the contractor may then make decisions and collect payment without you, and that you do not have to sign one to get work done. The FTC also advises never signing your insurance check over to a contractor.

Unlicensed or uninsured rebuilders

After cleanup, rebuild work such as replacing floors and drywall often follows. Ask for proof of insurance and confirm any required license with your state or county. The FTC notes that claiming no license is needed is a warning sign.

Impersonation and fake fees

Scammers may pretend to be from an insurance company, government agency, court, police department or victim compensation program and ask for a fee or personal information. The FTC notes that FEMA does not charge application fees, and you should be suspicious of anyone who asks for a fee to help you apply for government assistance. Contact the agency using a number you look up yourself, not one the caller gives you.

Estate and property scams

After a death, the home may be targeted. Watch for people asking to "clear out" the house for free, offers to buy the property far below value from people who appear right after the death, fake utility shutoff calls, and people claiming the deceased owed them money. Families sometimes also see fraudulent use of a deceased person's identity. Notify banks and credit bureaus of the death through the estate's representative.

How to protect yourself

1. Slow down. Contamination should be addressed promptly, but taking a few hours to check a company is reasonable.
2. Get a written scope and price before work starts.
3. Call your insurer first and ask how they want to handle the claim and payment.
4. Ask for proof of insurance and verify it with the insurer listed.
5. Get more than one quote if time allows, and compare scopes.
6. Pay safely: no large cash deposits, final payment only after completion.
7. Read everything before you sign, and keep copies.
8. Bring in someone you trust, such as a relative, friend or attorney, to review documents.
9. Secure the property: change locks if needed and collect spare keys.

Our guide on questions to ask before hiring gives a full checklist.

Unreasonable promises

Be cautious of anyone who promises insurance will pay in full, promises an exact finish time before seeing the site, or says they are "approved" by your insurer or by police. Insurers make their own coverage decisions, and police generally do not endorse private companies.

If you think you have been scammed

• Stop payment if you can, and contact your bank or card issuer.
• Report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
• Contact your state attorney general's consumer protection office.
• Tell your insurer if a claim was involved.
• Report impersonation of police or a government agency to that agency.
• Keep every document, text and receipt.

Looking after each other

Older relatives living alone after a spouse's death, and family members managing an estate from out of town, can be particularly exposed to these tactics. Agree as a family on one point of contact for contractors and insurers, and encourage everyone to check with that person before agreeing to anything.

When to call a professional

New Dawn Bio Restoration does not solicit families uninvited. We explain what is likely involved on the first call with no commitment and provide a written scope and price before any work begins. If you would like to talk it through, contact us or call 615-914-0790, and please confirm availability for your location.

Related services

• Unattended death cleanup

  Cleanup and restoration of a home or room after someone has passed away and was not discovered for some time.

• Trauma scene cleanup

  Cleanup of blood and bodily fluids after a serious injury, including self-inflicted injuries, where the person was taken for care.

• Crime scene cleanup

  Cleanup after police have released a scene, including blood and fluids as well as the powders and chemicals used during an investigation.

Related guides

• Who Pays for Crime Scene or Death Cleanup?

  Crime scene and death cleanup is usually the property owner's responsibility, not the police department's. Payment most often comes from homeowners or commercia

• Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Biohazard Cleanup?

  Homeowners insurance often helps pay for biohazard cleanup when the contamination comes from a sudden, accidental event such as a death, injury or crime in the

• Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Biohazard Cleanup Company

  Before hiring a biohazard cleanup company, ask for proof of insurance, a written scope and price before work begins, an explanation of how waste is handled, how