How to Protect Yourself from Social Media Scams

Sadly, scammers are targeting families when they are at their most vulnerable.

Protecting Yourself from Phishing Scams on Social Media

Over the years, advances in technology, particularly in the digital space, have changed the way we live, work, and socialise.

With the introduction of the internet and social media in particular, we have discovered new ways to communicate and express ourselves online.

Online Tribute pages have become a meaningful way for families and friends to remember loved ones, allowing users to find funeral information, write condolence messages, and upload photos.

Another fairly modern invention is the live-streaming of funeral services, allowing loved ones to watch the service from anywhere in the world.

Unfortunately, with the ongoing evolution of these technologies, we are also seeing an ever-growing number of scams and fraudulent activities online.

Sadly, the funeral industry is not immune to these activities, and scammers are targeting grieving family and friends using fake social media accounts to create phishing scams aimed at those looking to view the service online.

Here’s what you need to know about these scams and how to protect yourself.

What are Phishing Scams?

A Phishing scam is when the scammer attempts to deceive users into providing money or sensitive information by pretending to be a legitimate entity.

You may be familiar with phishing scams that operate via text and email, using fake links or phone numbers to fool the recipient into thinking they have an overdue bill, a lost package, or some other urgent issue that requires immediate attention.

Recently, the funeral industry as a whole have seen an increase in instances of phishing scams using social media profiles where scammers set up a profile claiming to have a link to the webcast.

They then direct users to a page that has no association with the webcast or funeral director, even if they have replicated some of the look and feel of a genuine website.

On this page they might request a fee to watch the service or request personal details from the user.

Remember: Tobin Brothers will never ask you for payment or banking details in order to watch a tribute.

If the user is deceived into thinking this is a genuine website, they may make a payment or provide sensitive information, only to discover they are unable to access the webcast on this website.

Tobin Brothers will never ask you for payment or banking details in order to watch a tribute. We do not create social media profiles for our tributes either.

If you are unsure, do not click any links from unknown sources. Search for the Tribute you are looking for via our website or call our Funeral Advice Line for further assistance.

How do phishing scams work?

Scammers use a number of tricks to deceive mourners into providing sensitive information.

Creating Fake Links: Scammers may create a URL that looks similar to the legitimate webcast link. For example, they might use branding and imagery from the funeral director or use a domain name that seems official at first glance.
Social Engineering: Fraudsters might pose as family members or funeral service providers, contacting individuals directly via email or social media with a “new link” to the webcast.
Urgency Tactics: Messages often stress urgency, claiming the link is only available for a limited time or that payment must be made immediately to secure access.
Creating Fake Profiles: In many cases, scammers will create various social media profiles using the deceased’s name and photos, often posing as family or friends.

How to spot a phishing scam

To avoid falling victim to these scams, watch for these warning signs:

Unusual URLs: Carefully examine any link you receive. Look for subtle changes in spelling, unusual domain extensions, or extra characters.
Requests for Payment: Most legitimate funeral webcasts are free of charge or clearly communicated as part of the service arrangements. Be wary of any unexpected payment requests.
Unfamiliar Contacts: Verify the source of any email, message, or comment before clicking a link. Contact your funeral planner or our Funeral Advice Line on 13 19 34 if in any doubt.
Urgent Language: Scammers often create a sense of urgency to pressure you into acting without thinking. Take your time to verify information.

Tips to Protect Yourself

Verify Directly with your Funeral Planner: Always confirm webcast links through official communication from Tobin Brothers. Avoid clicking links sent via third parties or unknown sources and let us know if you see anything suspicious.
Use Trusted Platforms: Access Tribute pages or webcast services only through the official Tobin Brothers website: www.tobinbrothers.com.au. Avoid third-party sites unless explicitly directed by Tobin Brothers.
The two main websites we use for webcasts will feature the following in their url:
tobinbrothers.com.au
tobin.5stream.com/webcast/
If the website address differs from the above, it may be a scam website.

We do sometimes use other providers or the service may be webcast through another provider so check with your funeral planner if you do notice any unfamiliar links.
Educate Friends and Family: Share this information with others attending the webcast to ensure they know how to avoid scams.
Be Wary about Sharing Details Online: Where possible, try to limit sharing funeral information on social media platforms as this is where scammers often find their victims.

At the time of writing, Instagram seems to be a favoured platform for scammers looking for victims. If possible, refrain from sharing death and funeral details on Instagram, if not all social media platforms.
Report Suspicious Activity: If you notice a scam link or unusual activity on a Tribute page, report it to Tobin Brothers on 13 19 34.

Be Vigilant with Invoices

Sadly, as the capabilities of technology develop, so too does the complexity and prevalence of scam activity.

Worse still, grieving families are not spared from this phenomenon, but rather, targeted at a time they are most vulnerable.

Another recent scam involves Fake Business Invoices, and has been occurring across various industries, with recent reports in the funeral industry also.

With a Fake Business Invoice Scam, the scammer poses as a business you may have had recent dealings with, and replicates their invoice in an attempt to have you pay them instead.

This is often achieved by gaining access to either your computer, or your email inbox, which allows them to see your recent activity.

They can then create their own invoice or alter the banking details and totals of the existing invoice, and delete any evidence of the original so you are none the wiser.

This is especially dangerous because people are expecting to receive the invoice so are less likely to question it. They generally only discover the issue once the real company follows up on the unpaid invoice.

It also means the scammer may have ongoing access to your inbox and personal details, which greatly increases your risk of being targeted for scams, fraud, identity theft, and more.

If you are concerned about suspicious activity or are unsure about an invoice from Tobin Brothers, please phone our accounts team directly on (03) 9328 4300 and they will confirm the details for you.

How Tobin Brothers Protect our Client Families

Tobin Brothers takes the safety and security of our client families very seriously. We are always working to innovate through our funeral and webcast services, and this includes taking the following steps to protect loved ones from phishing scams, such as:

Enhanced Platform Security: We request email confirmation from users to prevent unauthorised posting of links on Tribute pages.
Clear Communication: Providing direct, secure links to webcasts and clear instructions on how to access them.
Direct Support: You can call our Funeral Advice Line, your Funeral Planner, or our accounts team to help you identify and avoid scam activity.
Monitoring and Reporting: Actively monitoring Tribute pages for suspicious activity and acting quickly to remove fraudulent content.
Additional Measures: If notified of scam activity, our digital communications staff will assist in reporting fake social media pages to try to have fake profiles removed.

If you’d like to know more about our efforts to stop online scammers, please contact our Funeral Advice Line on 13 19 34.

Final Thoughts

Scammers prey on people during emotional and vulnerable moments, making it essential to stay cautious and informed. By knowing the signs of phishing scams and taking simple precautions, you can ensure your online safety while focusing on celebrating the life of your loved one.

For more information on staying safe online, or if you suspect fraudulent activity, don’t hesitate to contact Tobin Brothers for support.

You can also visit ScamWatch for more information or to report a scam.

This blog post offers guidance to safeguard your family and friends during a time of reflection and remembrance. Always prioritise security and reach out if you’re unsure about any links or communications. We are here to help you focus on what truly matters—honouring your loved ones.

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Tobin Brothers Funerals

Celebrating Lives Since 1934

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