Protecting Yourself from Inheritance and Estate Scams

As experienced estate planning lawyers serving the New South Wales community, Szabo & Associates Solicitors have seen firsthand the impact that sophisticated inheritance and estate scams can have on individuals and families. We are here to inform you about these schemes and teach you how to protect yourself from fraud. We will explore the most common types of inheritance and estate scams, explain how they work, and provide practical tips on safeguarding yourself, your estate, and your loved ones.

Fake Inheritance Notification Scams

These scams involve swindlers contacting individuals claiming they are entitled to a large inheritance and need to pay a significant tax or fee before receiving the funds.

How to Protect Yourself

• Verify all claims: Contact our probate lawyers in NSW to verify the claim’s legitimacy. Legitimate inheritance processes involve legal documentation and clear communication from trusted sources.
• Be skeptical of unsolicited communications: It is likely a scam if you have not been expecting news of an inheritance or are unfamiliar with the person named.
• Avoid upfront payments: Legitimate inheritances do not require upfront payments for fees or taxes. These costs are usually deducted from the estate itself during the probate process.

Executor Impersonation Scams

These scams occur when scammers pose as the executor of an estate to deceive potential beneficiaries. They may request personal information, demand fees to release funds from the estate or forge documents to falsely claim executor status.

How to Protect Yourself

• Confirm the executor’s identity: If you are a beneficiary of an estate, confirm the identity of the executor through official legal channels.
• Use secure communication channels: Ensure you discuss sensitive or legal information through verified and secure means, not casual or unsolicited calls.
• Request legal assistance: Consult with our trusted estate solicitors. We can verify the executor’s status and ensure the process is handled legally and transparently.

Advance Fee Scams

These scams are a type of fraud where scammers promise a significant return on a small upfront investment.

How to Protect Yourself

• Be cautious of any fee requests: You should treat any demand for advance payments as suspicious.
• Verify with your probate lawyer: Always consult our lawyers before making any payments related to inheritance matters.
• Do not rush into payments: Take your time to investigate the situation, and never rush into making payments before verifying their legitimacy.

Property and Asset Transfer Scams

These scams involve scammers attempting to defraud individuals by falsely claiming ownership of property or assets.

• Secure property titles: Ensure all property titles and ownership documents related to the estate are properly secured and stored.
• Monitor the probate process closely: If you are an executor or beneficiary, engage our qualified estate solicitors to oversee the process and ensure that all transfers are legitimate.
• Report suspicious activity: If you notice any unusual changes in property ownership or asset transfers, report them immediately to legal authorities and your probate lawyer.

Fake Charity and Donation Scams

These scams involve scammers posing as legitimate charities to solicit donations to honour a loved one’s memory.

How to Protect Yourself

• Verify charitable requests: Verify the legitimacy of the charity and the claim by reviewing the will with our probate lawyers, who can help ensure that donations are handled correctly.
• Research charities carefully: Only donate to well-established, registered charities. You can verify charities through the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC).
• Do not rush donations: Take your time to research any donation requests thoroughly.

Szabo & Associates Can Help Protect You from Inheritance Scams

Szabo & Associates Solicitors understand the complexities of estate planning and probate processes. We are here to help you navigate these matters and safeguard your inheritance from fraud. If you suspect you or someone you know may be the target of an inheritance scam, contact us immediately.